Author's note: Thanks to Avis Minter for another round of brainstorming!

—--

Lucas watched Grace carefully as she grew silent. He gently tightened his hold on her waist.

She was looking down at her fingers as she nervously picked on her nails.

"I was thinking what would I say if you asked me what's the most challenging thing I ever did", she fidgeted nervously on his thigh, still not looking up at him.

Lucas gently took her nervous fingertips in his palm. Noticing how chilled they suddenly grew, he tried to warm them with his gentle touch.

"What is the most challenging thing you ever did?", he asked silently, bringing her fingertips to the left part of his chest and covering it with his palm.

She felt his steady heartbeat under her fingers and the sound of it slowly, but surely started to soothe her nerves.

"I ran away from every orphanage after I wouldn't get adopted for a few months. I always thought a new orphanage would bring me more luck", she shrugged "I guess it's what made me tougher. I don't know. I just always remember how that felt when a new child is brought to our orphanage. If I could, I would adopt every one of them and give them all the love and care they need and that I didn't have", she smiled sadly and mumbled silently "You must think I am silly."

Lucas cupped her cheek making her look up at him.

He slowly brushed his thumb across the soft skin of her cheek.

"No, no. Never. Quite the contrary", he pressed his other palm on her fingers that still rested on the left side of his chest "I think that you are amazing. Remarkable. To go through such a hardship as a child and not grow bitter and blaming all the world, but trying to change it for better - THAT is truly amazing, Grace. Some people whine and cry about much lesser things. The fact that you grew up into such a loving woman who gives her love so fully to every child in that orphanage is what makes you so incredible", as she leaned into his palm, he could feel her cheek growing warm, causing his heart to sing out to hers "And the fact that you are able to love so fully, so honestly, so deeply, makes me feel blessed that you choose me to be the man you love."

Grace softly smiled.

"I'm the blessed one", she whispered, feeling peace washing over her "For having you in my life", she smiled sweetly as he gently nuzzled his nose against hers before giving her lips a soft, loving kiss.

As the kiss ended, she placed her forehead on his and silently asked:

"What is the most challenging thing you ever did?"

Lucas pressed his lips thoughtfully, really not sure how to answer that question. His whole life was full of such moments.

"I guess it would be dealing with some bad guys. I ran into a burning house once to save a friend. My friend's widow refused to be blackmailed and so the guy burned her place down, nearly killing her in process too", he shook his head as he remembered that horrible night "Her husband owed him money and after his death Amos wouldn't stop. So I called upon his vice. We played poker and for the first time in my life, I cheated and he lost. Once he found out, he set up the fire."

Grace silently gasped.

"Did they catch him?", she asked.

Lucas nodded.

"Yes. But, he found me once he got out of a prison, demanding that I pay him his money back", he shook his head and told Grace about that night when Dixon showed up in Hope Valley, held both him and Elizabeth hostage, how Nathan and Bill jumped in and how upset everybody was with him back then.

He suddenly looked up at her.

"You know, that was actually during the festival you and Spencer attended", he gently caressed her hair "I still remember Fiona and Rosemary going around and checking all the places and activities. I was in charge of drinks and magic tricks", he shook his head "And I still remember Rosemary's snarky comment that she hopes there will be no more surprises from me at the festival."

Grace silently gasped.

"That was such a horrible thing to say!", she whispered.

Lucas shrugged.

"I told her that there will be only good surprises", he said, his lips curling up a bit.

Grace smiled lovingly.

"My clever Lucas", she whispered and leaned in, kissing both of his eyelids. Pulling slightly back, she whispered "I wish I knew you back then."

Lucas nodded, his hand gently caressing her spine.

"Me too."

Grace grinned as she remembered something.

"I also did magic tricks for Spencer back then. Carson and I tried to cheer him up, walked with him through the festival, but he was just too sad. Loss of his parents was still fresh and painful for him. So I told him that I have magic powers and that I am gonna foresee his future", she smiled "So I put my fingers on his temples and told him that I see him with cotton candy, candy apples, playing games and having fun!"

Lucas smiled, pulling her closer to him

"A fellow magician", he whispered "Who would have thought."

Grace smiled at his words, her breath mingling with his as their lips barely touched.

"if I knew that there was a magician at the festival I would have gone to offer my assistance", she whispered, every word brushing against Lucas' lips, making him shiver deliciously against her.

"We can work together now", he whispered "We can put up a magician show for the little ones back home. Join forces and magic powers. What do you say, my beautiful sorceress?"

Grace let out a shaky breath, smiling against his lips.

"Oh, I think that's a wonderful idea! I just have to watch out that I don't turn you back into a frog again", she grinned "I like having my Prince Charming just as he is."

Lucas' eyes darkened and he closed the small distance, drinking her sweetness in as their lips kissed hungrily, passionately.

Gasping for breath a few minutes later, Grace leaned her forehead at Lucas' as they both breathed heavily holding each other's gaze.

"What food do you hate?", she asked, breathless.

Lucas groaned as he closed his eyes.

"Seriously? Back to the regular questions?", he asked, still fighting to breathe properly.

Grace grinned, her pulse still wild in her chest from his loving, passionate kisses.

He shook his head, letting out a chuckle.

"Fine", he said "Ravioli. I never liked them", he looked at her "And you?"

"Leek", Grace shivered in disgust "Can't stand it. The smell, the taste…yuck!", she grimaced, her eyes closing as she shivered once again in disgust, causing Lucas to chuckle.

"Alright. I'll tell Gustave to add it on the black list", he said, his palms sneaking from her shoulders down her upper arms and going back again until he buried his fingers in her soft hair "My turn", he gently massaged the place where her neck joined with her head, causing Grace to close her eyes as a small sigh escaped her "What is the favorite outfit you've seen me wear?"

Grace opened her eyes, slightly creasing her eyebrows in confusion.

"That's an odd question", she silently commented.

Lucas shrugged, his facial expression innocent, but his eyes darkened.

What was he up to?

"Humour me", he whispered.

Grace watched him carefully, trying to figure out what was the real reason behind that question.

"Alright. Favourite outfit? Hmmmm…", her smile widened as she remembered something and pulled a piece of paper from her skirt pocket, adding with a grin "This one."

Lucas unfolded the paper and let out a chuckle of disbelief as he saw a flyer from Hope Valley with his photo on it.

"Your suit jacket midnight black, your vest the colour of ice. Your trousers just a shade lighter than your suit jacket. And checkered black - ice white tie", she whispered, biting on her lip, her eyes burning with love, passion and desire for this breathtaking man. She let go of her lower lip and gave him a small smile "Now you."

Lucas took a deep breath in.

"I love your long, white dress with the same white belt that ties into a bow here", he gently placed his palm on the right side of her ribcage, eliciting a shaky breath out of her.

And then his gaze turned into a smouldering one and his voice dropped an octave lower as he whispered passionately:

"But I wouldn't mind seeing you in that black nightgown one day!", and with those words he crashed his lips with hers, his tongue immediately searching for an entrance, making her moan.

Oh. Dear. God.

Grace's entire body shuddered as she opened up to him and he dived in, his tongue dancing passionately with hers. His palm on her ribcage pressed in gently, his thumb lightly brushing dangerously close to her breast, making her gasp in ecstasy, breaking their kiss.

Only to feel his lips going to her swan-like neck, kissing, sucking, nipping and licking.

Grace fought to breathe properly, but he was making it impossible for her.

But I wouldn't mind seeing you in that black nightgown one day!

Oh, how that teasing him about that blasted nightgown during a poker game came back to her like a boomerang!

She leaned in, bringing his head back up and kissing him hard, senseless, scorching, burning with love and desire.

And as she moved, her lower body pressed on his thigh and he pressed back, making her shudder and whimper in pleasure.

Just a few more minutes, she thought, pulling on his lower lip, then plunging in deep, making him practically growl in her mouth.

Grace gasped as she broke the kiss and looked at him, her pupils dilated, his eyes dark as a midnight sky.

Her shivering fingers cupped his bearded cheeks as they both tried to catch a breath. She stared deeply in his eyes and whispered:

"One day", she brushed her lips against his in a long, lazy kiss before she added "I better go."

Lucas nodded, releasing his hold on her and smiling as he fought to catch a breath.

"Yeah", he felt the coldness and emptiness the moment she got up from his lap and he got up, following her to the doors.

She slid the doors open and turned around, giving him a loving smile.

"Good night, my love", she dragged her fingertips over his hand that was holding a door frame.

He smiled back at her.

"Good night, my angel."

—--

It wasn't a dream, Lucas knew it as his eyes were wide open.

He was laying on his bed in a small compartment, his right hand behind his head as he was staring at the ceiling.

In the dim light, the shadows on the wall painted a vision for him.

A vision of the future.

He could see her running down the long corridors of the Governor's mansion, her white dress fluttering around her. He could see her doing her ballerina twirls with her hands up in his garden, her long brown hair flowing in the wind.

He could hear her sweet voice as she moved through the halls, giving instruction to the staff around her, getting the mansion ready for some event.

He could hear her sweet laughter as she rushed down the grand staircase, carrying her shoes in her hand, telling him that he could try, but he won't catch her.

He could hear her squeal in delight as he would, of course, caught up with her and pull her in his arms, twirling her around.

And he could see his dearest, sweet Grace rocking a baby in her arms as her soft brown eyes met with his and she would smiled warmly at him

Lucas smiled to himself, snuggling into his bed, feeling Grace's sweet scent lingering in the compartment.

He knew what will he do when they get home.

He only has to plan everything carefully.

And ask her.

—--

Grace was walking through the huge dining room, inspecting the elegantly decorated table to see is everything in order.

The silverware was in a perfect order. The napkins folded and tied with a thin ribbon were resting on the plates. Champagne tubes next to water glasses.

Bouquets of red roses decorated the long tables while rose petals covered the tablecloth.

It was perfect.

Everything was perfect.

"Is everything to your liking, Mrs. Bouchard?"

Gasping loudly, Grace woke up from her dream, fighting for breath.

Oh my God.

The train whistled into the night, swallowing miles as it rolled closer to home.