As they slowly pulled apart and Lucas gently slid Grace down his body back on the ground, she hid her face into his neck, trying to drink in his warmth.

"You were worth waiting for, my Lucas", she whispered "And I am so blessed to be the one you love."

That was it, right there. That was the proof that she let him in and decided to fight her old insecurities because she had his love lifting her up above all the past pains and old wounds…like he lifted her up in his embrace a few minutes ago.

He tightened his hold on her letting her take all this in. His words, his warmth, his love. Because all of it was hers, now and for eternity.

He was hers.

Now and for eternity.

"I love you", he heard her whisper, her breath warming his skin.

Lucas inhaled deeply, her sweet scent warming his heart.

"I love you too", he whispered.

Grace pulled slightly back to look at him and she felt such peace and happiness as she gazed into his warm, dark eyes. Lucas smiled softly at her as he gazed back before kissing her forehead, making her close her eyes and smile happily.

The scent of baked cake filled the kitchen and they reluctantly let go of each other to finish work on Jack's birthday cake.

While Lucas turned the oven off and took out the cake, Grace stirred the cream in a bowl and took out melted chocolate from the fridge, checking was it cool enough to pour it over the cake. She put a little spoon in it and took out a bit of chocolate to taste it. Satisfied with the temperature, she stirred it just in time when Lucas took out a baked cake from its mold on a plate.

"Is chocolate okay?", he asked.

Grace nodded.

"Perfect. We can put it on the cake. Do you wanna try it?", she asked not looking up at him, but putting a spatula in her hand to take out some cream from the bowl.

And entirely missing the look on Lucas' face.

"Sure", she heard him say and she reached to get another little spoon for him…only to feel his fingers gently taking her forearm and pulling her toward him. And before she could say anything, he dived in, kissing her passionately.

Grace gasped in surprise, her entire body tingling, only to burst in flames as Lucas deepened the kiss. Her head swam in the ocean of his love and she wrapped her hands around his neck, kissing him back with all that she had.

When his lips slowly let go of hers, she breathed out:

"What was that for?"

Lucas' eyes sparkled mischeviously.

"You asked me if I wanted to taste the chocolate. And I did", he gave her another long, sensual kiss before whispering "And it tastes like Heaven."

Grace felt her heart skip a beat and she bit her lower lip as she looked from Lucas' eyes to his lips. She knew that he wouldn't be able to resist and she was right. In the next moment his lips were back on hers and she whimpered in pleasure, loving the feel of him so close to her.

As their kiss broke, she grinned.

"But, I also ate chicken stew before you came", she teased him.

Lucas chuckled as he gently kissed her forehead.

"I only tasted Heaven", he mumbled gently, making her smile widen and she put her hands on his neck and pulled him in for another kiss.

After a few moments, they let go of each other and went back to working on a cake. They worked nicely together and very soon, cake was finished and they put it in the fridge.

Grace let out a sigh.

"I am so glad we did this. I hope it will bring him at least some happiness", she said thoughtfully.

Lucas hugged her shoulders and pulled her to his side as they walked back to the table to clean it.

"Thank you so much for doing this, Grace", he whispered and gently kissed her hair.

She smiled sadly, not saying anything back as they went to do the dishes.

As Lucas washed the dishes and Grace dried them, she remembered their conversation from earlier.

"I can call Miriam in the morning to check what kind of dog you should get for Jack. Although, I think a daschund would be a lovely choice", she looked up at Lucas with a gentle smile.

He smiled warmly.

"I think you are right. They are very cuddly, won't grow much so it won't be trouble for his family", he said as he gave her the last plate to dry.

Grace's facial expression turned sympathetic.

"You thought of everything", she whispered and as she put the plate away, Grace dried her hands and walked over toward Lucas. She hugged him and whispered "Jack will be fine, Lucas. He obviously has a family who cares about him. Otherwise, they wouldn't let him to come and see you."

Lucas nodded, holding her close.

"I know. And I am grateful to them", he took a deep breath in "But, I cannot help but wonder where is his Father's family or does he have any."

Grace slightly creased her eyebrows.

"Elizabeth never mentioned it?", she asked.

Lucas shook his head.

"Never. I only saw her late husband in the wedding photos. I didn't ask anybody else. But, I wonder do they have contact with the Thatchers", Lucas said, his facial expression thoughtful.

Grace was silent for a while, lost in thoughts. Suddenly, she looked back up at Lucas.

"Why don't you ask Agatha? It may be sensitive subject with Elizabeth's parents, but Agatha may help you", she suggested.

Lucas slowly nodded.

"That may be the best option", he smiled sadly at his fiancée "Thank you, my angel", he gently nuzzled his nose against hers.

Grace smiled softly as she breathed him in.

"When do you want us to go and get a puppy tomorrow?", she asked.

Lucas took a deep breath in.

"Is 07.30 alright for you? That way we can go back home before he wakes up", at seeing Grace's surprised look, he gently smiled "You didn't think I would deliver the gift without you?", at seeing her eyes misting with tears, he whispered "Remember what I told you. You are the most important person in my life and I want you at my side. Always."

Grace smiled through her tears and eagerly accepted a kiss that Lucas placed on her lips.

She wiped her tears, her smile never wavering from her face.

"Alright. 07.30 it is", she said and then stammered a bit "I…uhm…I actually have a few more gifts for Jack", at seeing Lucas surprised look, she shrugged "You didn't know he was coming and I didn't want you to feel bad for not having any gift for him. So…I remembered that you brought a few stones and minerals for him from that shop at the Geology Institute. I asked the shop owner for advice on what to buy. I can give it to you tomorrow morning so you can give it to him."

Lucas leaned his forehead on Grace's and slightly shook his head.

"You never cease to amaze me, mon amour", he whispered "We can give it to him together."

Grace smiled.

"I will save a sock with candies and my gift for him here", at Lucas' curious look, she smiled "I bought him a picture book 'Robin Hood' and a few candies", she stammered a bit "I…uhm..I couldn't wait and I had to give him a Teddy bear at the station", she looked down, slightly shrugging "I just wanted to try to cheer him up."

Lucas let out a breath.

"That's your Teddy bear?", as he felt her nod against his forehead, he brought his hands up and gently brushed his knuckles over the soft skin of her cheeks "He has it with him all the time."

Grace smiled sadly.

"Children love plush toys. It gives them comfort, a sense of love and warmth", she said.

Lucas cupped her face as he hovered his lips above hers.

"There is no one else in this world like you, my lovely Grace", he whispered before his lips melted into hers. She sighed, her heart beating happily as she kissed him back.

—--

Sounds of barking, big and small, loud and silent filled the air as Grace stopped by every single box to peek inside. Lucas followed her with a smile on his face. He adored dogs too, but seeing Grace cooing to the puppies for the past 20 minutes made his heart swell.

"Ooooh, they are so cute!", she squealed as she scratched the head of a labrador puppy.

Lucas chuckled warmly.

"Yes, they are. It's good that you asked Miriam for advice. Otherwise we'd never be able to come out from the pet shop", he said as he turned to look at a golden retriever puppy. He gently caressed his little head and was about to say something when Grace silently gasped:

"Lucas! There he is!"

Lucas turned around and looked down at the box where Grace stood.

Only to have his heart melt.

Grace put her hands in the box and gently picked up a whimpering daschund puppy. She cooed to a puppy, bringing him close to her neck, whispering comforting words, only resulting in a puppy licking her face with his tiny tongue, making Grace giggle.

Lucas gently caressed puppy's head with his index finger.

"He is so cute. Jack is going to love him", smiled Lucas.

Grace smiled as she looked up.

"So, that means we are taking him?", at Lucas's nod, she squealed a bit as she rushed toward the cash desk, puppy still nestled against her neck.

Lucas chuckled and picked up an empty box before following Grace.

—--

"Okay, Jack, before we go to Grace's, I have a surprise for you", said Lucas as he, Jack and Grace sat in the library.

Jack's eyes widened and he smiled.

"Really?"

Lucas nodded and got up. He went out from the living room for a while, only to come back with a box in his hands.

"Here you go, buddy", Lucas said as he put a box on Jack's lap "Happy birthday."

Jack smiled as he removed a loosened lid from the box only to gasp out loud, his smile widening:

"It's a puppy!!", he exclaimed in surprise. He looked up at Lucas, his eyes wide "Is it mine?"

Lucas smiled warmly.

"Yes, it's all yours", he said, his heart singing with joy as he watched Jack smile and trying to take a puppy out from the box. Grace helped him and very soon, a puppy was safely secured in Jack's little hands, happily licking the little boy's face.

"Thanks, buddy!", exclaimed Jack and laughed as a puppy continued his licking.

Lucas' smile grew and he caressed the little boy's head.

"You are welcome, Jack", he leaned forward, gently scratching the puppy's little head and ears "Now all you have to do is to give him a name", as puppy looked at Lucas' hand and sniffed it before licking it, he chuckled and looked at Jack "So, what do you want to call him?"

There was no doubt in Jack's mind, he knew the answer right away.

"Buddy!", he exclaimed.

A giggle escaped from Grace and she quickly pressed her lips tightly together as Lucas looked at her in mock annoyance.

He looked down at Jack and puppy's innocent face.

"Hang on, you are going to name puppy after me?", he asked, bewildered. In his peripheral vision he could see Grace fighting hard not to burst out laughing.

Jack grinned, putting the puppy down on his lap.

"Yeah!", he exclaimed happily.

Shaking with suppressed laughter, Grace simply couldn't resist. She leaned down to look at Jack and quipped:

"Well, Jack, you can always call him Luccie."

Lucas gasped, completely shocked:

"Grace!!", as Grace and Jack giggled in duet, Lucas tried to fix the situation that slowly, but surely was threatening to turn into a puppy circus "Jack, having two names may confuse puppy."

But before Jack could react, Grace picked up a puppy, brought him close to her face, stared at his eyes and quipped:

"He looks fine to me", she bursted out laughing together with Jack, causing Lucas to stare at two of them, completely flabbergasted.

What did I got myself into?!