Chapter 31

Lucas took his parents to their room, telling them that he will wait downstairs for them until they freshen up from the trip. He slowed down his steps on the grand staircase, aware of his parents' years.

Helen held Martin's arm as they followed their son upstairs.

"So, is everything ready for the Ball?", asked Helen.

Lucas nodded.

"Almost. There are still some small finesses that my staff is attending to, but overall, the job is done. I can show the ballroom and the dining room to you once you refresh yourself", he replied.

Helen smiled at her son.

"I would love that. And the food?"

Lucas smirked.

"You do know that I hired the best chef in the world to be my personal kitchen guru?", he winked, causing Martin to shake his head, laughing.

"You two must have quite some fun living together", smiled Martin "You were always like two peas in a pond".

Lucas smiled back.

"We still are…well, as long as I stay away from the kitchen!", Lucas couldn't help but laugh remembering the escapade with hot chocolate two weeks ago.

Helen smiled.

"I'm glad you have some family members around to help you through this time", at Martin's look, Helen insisted "What? Can't I worry about my only son after what he went through?", she asked Martin incredulously.

Martin sighed, rubbing his forehead. He looked at Lucas and shook his head.

"I hoped she would be able to hold back at least until we dust off our traveling costs, but apparently not", he said, exhaling as they finally reached their room.

Lucas gave them a small sad smile.

"Why don't you get settled and come downstairs for some tea? Lunch should be in about half an hour. We can talk then", he opened the room for them and nodded "Take your time. I will wait for you", and with those words, he was gone.

—--

Lillian nodded approvingly at her reflection in the mirror. This was the right dress. Dark green with low neckline, swishing to the floor in a shape of letter A.

She heard huffing and grumbling in the cabin beside her.

"I hate this", she heard her little sister's voice and couldn't help but smile. Grace was a nervous wreck and by now she tried on at least a dozen dresses. Every single one had a flaw…well, not the dress itself. Grace thought she looked horrible in every single one of them.

Lillian shook her head and called out.

"Grace? Come out", as the silence prevailed in the cabin next to her, Lillian put on her most serious big sister tone of voice and added "Now."

The curtain slowly opened and there stood Grace looking absolutely stunning in the most beautiful light blue dress Lillian has ever seen. It was strapless, tight on the upper side of her body and gently spread to an "A" under her waist.

But Grace stood with the most disappointed facial expression ever.

"I give up", she mumbled despondently causing Lillian to roll her eyes full force "I'll just stay at home and do some dusting".

Lillian gasped and pulled her sister for both hands, dragging her out of the cabin.

"You will absolutely not do that!", she gave her gloomy faced sister a little twirl "Are you insane?! You really want to rob Lucas of passing out when he sees you in this dress?!", she grinned like a Cheshire cat at Grace's eyes widening in panic.

"Sssssshhhh! Lillian!", she hissed, looking around quickly "Someone can hear you!"

"You are wearing this dress and that's final!", chuckled Lillian, thoroughly enjoying her sister's nervousness. Ever since Grace told her about Lucas' invitation to the Governor's Ball two weeks ago she became a nervous wreck.

"Lillian", Grace whined "I really…", she tried to protest, but Lillian wouldn't have any of it.

"Go. Now", she gently pushed Grace back to the cabin and closed the curtain, adding happily "And I'll do your hair", hearing Grace huffing in defeat Lillian grinned.

Victory.

—--

Lucas sipped on his tea as he read a book, waiting for his parents to arrive.

His Father was first to show up.

"Ah, it feels good to finally be off that train!", Martin breathed out as he sat down and accepted a cup of tea from Lucas "Thank you, son".

Lucas smiled, feeling peace wash over him.

"It's so good to see you, Father. It's been too long", Lucas said silently.

Martin nodded.

"Yes, it was. And I'm glad we are here now", he reached out and took Lucas' palm, watching his son carefully "We were both so worried about you".

"Yes, we were. And we still are", Helen's voice was heard as she entered the room. She took a seat and looked at Lucas, her eyes clear and sharp.

He knew that look.

"Mother, I know it couldn't be easy for you either. To deal with canceling the invitations and explaining to people what occurred", he took a deep breath in "I owe you thanks for taking that task off my chest. I…", he swallowed hard "I don't think I would be able to deal with that. It would break me down completely…", he looked at his parents and noticing Helen's eyes misted with tears, he took her palms in his hands and gently kissed knuckles on both of her hands "Thank you", he whispered.

Helen quickly took her hands out of his grasp and pulled her beloved son in a warm hug.

"Oh, Lucas. It was the least we could do. Don't you worry about that. The most important thing is that you are away from there now", Helen said silently.

Martin nodded.

"I guess you took care of saloon business?", asked Martin.

Lucas nodded

"Yes. Gustave put it out for a sale. He is taking care of that for me, along with two good friends. You will meet them at the ball. Actually, I believe you met them back when you came to visit me, Mother. Henry and Bill?", he reminded her.

Helen nodded.

"Yes. They are fine gentlemen. I am glad you have some friends from there who stood by you", she warmly said and then smiled "So. Your very first ball. Are you ready for it?

Lucas smirked.

"As much as the next man", he winked at his Father causing Martin to chuckle. Seeing Helen's look, he softened "I am just teasing you, Mother. It will be good to promote my work. There will be a lot of influential and important people there."

"Mhm. You helped the local orphanage here, isn't that right?", asked Helen.

As Lucas nodded, his Father commented approvingly:

"That is the most noble project you could pick up, son", said Martin.

Lucas softly smiled.

"I hope I will be able to help those kids find their new homes and while they don't, I will make sure that they wish for nothing while they are here", he smiled sadly "They are great kids", suddenly his face lit up "Hey… would you like to meet them?"

Helen and Martin glanced at each other and decided without a word exchanged to accept. The only thing that mattered was how his son's face brightened at the mention of the children and the orphanage.

—-

"Anna, put it down!", Grace laughed as a pillow from Anna's little hands flew towards her. Feathers flew all around the room as the kids squealed in delight, pillow fight in full force.

Little Mary picked up another cupcake to add some frosting. However, her tiny fingers were too small to squeeze frosting from the little cloth bag so she put it on the table and pressed it with her little elbows…

… only to have it splashed all over Grace's dress and face!

Grace bursted out laughing and chased little Mary around the living room.

"Oh, I'm gonna get you, munchkin! I'm gonna get you!", she laughed, putting on a funny tone of voice causing Mary to giggle madly.

It was at that moment that a knock on the doors was heard.

Laughing, Grace caught up with little Mary and scooping her up in her arms, she grabbed a tablecloth from the table to wipe her face clean.

Not noticing that she got a bit of frosting left on her nose and cheek.

Laughing together with little Mary in her arms, Grace pulled the doors open…

Her eyes widened in surprise.

"Oh, my God! Lucas!", she smiled nervously "Hi".

Lucas was mesmerized by the unexpected sight in front of him. Grace with some frosting on her face, hair a bit disheveled with two or three feathers in her hair and little Mary hugging her lovingly.

She was beautiful.

"Hi, Wucas", little Mary smiled at her friend.

Lucas smiled, giving Mary a tiny tickle, causing the little girl to giggle.

"Hello, Mary", he looked cautiously at Grace "Is this a bad time?"

Grace smiled warmly.

"No, of course not", she said, only then noticing a couple behind him "We were just frosting cupcakes and the kids decided to have a pillow fight", her smile grew "Please, come in".

She opened the doors letting them in. She kissed Mary's little cheek and put her down, telling her gently to go and put the pillows and cupcakes away.

Then, she turned back to her quests, curiosity on her face.

Lucas watched her with a smile.

"Grace, I'd like you to meet my parents - Helen and Martin Bouchard".

Oh. My. God.

Now? Really?

Oh, I must look a fright!

Grace swallowed, putting on a brave face…but, her smile was warm and sincere as she spoke:

"Mrs. Bouchard, Mr. Bouchard, it's so nice to meet you. I am Grace", like a help sent from above Lillian showed up and Grace quickly turned to her "This is my sister Lillian. Lillian, meet Lucas' parents", as she looked at Lillian her sister nearly gasped in shock and almost burst to laugh when she saw Grace's face.

Realizing that Grace had no idea that she still had some frosting on her face Lillian sprung into a welcoming hostess role and took Lucas' parents inside the living room.

On her way there she turned around and widened her eyes at Grace, rubbing her nose.

Grace creased her eyebrows confused, but Lucas hid his smile and nodded to Lillian.

Grace turned around and noticed Lucas' nod to Lillian.

"What?", she asked.

And then the world stood still.

Lucas fingers went into her hair and Grace watched in shock as he slowly pulled out three little white feathers from it.

And her heart skipped a beat as his fingers drifted to her cheek, his thumb wiping something from her cheek.

Grace could feel her heart accelerating impossibly fast as Lucas brought his thumb to his lips…and slightly licked it.

"Mmm", he murmured "Chocolate?", he smiled warmly at Grace.

"Oh, dear God!", Grace breathed out "Where else do I have it?", she quickly wiped fingers across her chin and forehead, letting out a small whine "What will your parents think of me?!"

Lucas' eyes shone with warmth and amusement.

"All the best, I assure you", as Grace let out an anxious breath and started to turn away to go to the living room Lucas stopped her by gently catching her arm.

Grace's heart skipped a beat.

"You missed a spot", he whispered and she watched breathless as he gently wiped frosting from the tip of her nose.

You are truly special, Grace Bennet.