January 7th, evening, Phoenix
Lucas got out of the uber at the address Vi gave him. She said it was Charles' cousin's apartment. He had an extra bedroom and was happy to let Lucas stay there. It didn't matter to Lucas. He just couldn't wait to see Beth.
Tonight was the rehearsal dinner and he wouldn't be going to that, but he did plan on texting Beth soon, just to say hi. They had been talking at least once a day and he would miss doing it if he didn't.
As soon as he rolled his bag into the spare in Kyle's apartment, he sat on the bed and did just that.
"Hey. How are you?"
A few moments later she responded. "Tired but good. Tonight is the rehearsal dinner and we are having filet mignon! YUM."
He chuckled. He loved a girl that could eat. She didn't eat much in Oahu but apparently things had changed.
"I love a girl who can eat," he texted back. Crap. He really needed to filter his thoughts before they flowed out his fingertips.
"Well, I can for sure. For future reference, I love steak and burgers but I also love veggies."
"Noted."
"Know any good burger or steak places in Michigan?"
"Loads! Don't worry, when you come visit me, we will eat well."
"I'm not worried. I trust you."
As the rehearsal and dinner afterward went on, Elizabeth tried to enjoy herself. The food was so good and she was with family. She did text Lucas a few times, but not enough to seem rude.
As she grabbed a piece of cheesecake, Kyle stepped up to talk to her. "Hey, Beth."
"Hi, Kyle."
"Would you like to take a walk? Its warm in here."
"I..I'm sorry. I think I'll stay here. But thank you."
"May I ask why?"
"I have feelings for someone else so I don't think it would be right to hang out with you."
"Oh. But Charles said you weren't seeing anyone."
"Its new. I hope that it does turn into something. So, thank you, but I'm sorry. No."
He nodded. "Alright. I can respect that."
"Thank you."
He nodded and walked away. She took her cheesecake to her chair and enjoyed it. Now tomorrow night, she wouldn't be uncomfortable thinking that Kyle was going to be asking her to dance all night. She could just enjoy the party.
…..
Lucas was bored. He took out his laptop and tried to find something to do in the Phoenix area but he didn't really want to pay for an uber. On the other hand, Kyle's apartment needed more help in the decoration department than his own house.
He found a movie theater and set up an uber. Why not? He just had to keep himself busy for the evening and Kyle had given him the code to get in and a key.
Across town, Elizabeth was leaving the dinner. It had been over for a while and things were cleaned up so she drove herself back to the hotel, changed her clothes and headed to the movie theater.
She was standing in line to get popcorn and a drink, because what was a movie without those things? She texted Lucas with a selfie. "Movie time!"
A phone dinged behind her at about the same time she hit send.
Lucas looked up and stared. Beth. She was like three people ahead of him in line.
"Nice. What are you seeing?"
"Don't think I'm weird but its A Christmas Story. A theater here is playing it."
"The kid with the BB gun?"
"Yes! Its a great movie."
"I love that movie."
"Fancy meeting you here," a voice said from next to her.
"Luke! What? How are you here?"
"Surprise!"
She wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tight, taking a deep breath of him. "I missed you so much."
He held her just as tight, sighing. Yes, this was perfect.
"I missed you too." They stepped up to the vendor counter at the sound of a clearing throat behind them. "What were you getting, Beth?"
"Popcorn and a large Diet."
"Wanna share popcorn?" She nodded. She couldn't believe he was standing next to her, his arm around her shoulders, hers around his waist.
"We'll take a large popcorn with extra butter, please, a large diet, and a large mountain Dew."
His choice of words excited her. "We'll take…" She was going to be part of a "we!"
"I really can't believe you are here. Was it Julie?"
"Nope."
"My parents?"
"No," he laughed. "It was Vi."
"Where are you staying?" she asked after they got their drinks and popcorn and wandered toward the theater.
"Charles' cousin Kyle had an extra room."
She laughed. "Seriously?" She kept laughing and laughing.
"Why is that so funny?"
"Kyle has asked me out. Multiple times. I just turned him down again about an hour or so ago."
They sat in the back row, hoping to get some privacy so they could chat or whatever. Or at least that was her reason for choosing that row.
"He asked you out?"
"Yep."
"Why did you say no?" he wondered, sipping his drink.
"Are you being serious?"
"Well, kind of. I guess I am hoping for a certain answer but I'm prepared for the other one too."
"You really want to know?"
"Yes. I really want to know."
"I told him that I have feelings for someone and I'm hoping that it will turn into something so I didn't feel right saying yes to him."
She put a few pieces of popcorn in her mouth and chewed, her cheeks that sweet pink he saw so often.
"Good. That was the answer I was hoping for."
"Are you sure? Because I really can be patient. If you aren't ready, there is no rush."
He leaned toward her and kissed her forehead, letting his lips linger for a moment. "I'm sure."
She hugged him again right there, holding him with her forehead against his neck, so grateful that Vi had meddled. "I can't wait to dance with you tomorrow night."
He sat back and offered his hand. This is definitely something he'd been wanting to do for weeks now. She put her hand in his, slipping her fingers between his. Yeah. Holding hands with Beth felt right.
"Me either."
The movie started and it was funny and perfect. Mostly because they were together.
…..
He walked her to her car after the movie. "I can drop you at Kyle's," she offered.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. Why pay for an uber?"
He checked his watch. It was 10 pm Phoenix time which meant it was later Michigan time. Yet, he wasn't tired. He didn't necessarily want to go back to Kyle's.
"Maybe we could get some coffee?"
"I know a place," she told him. "Let's get coffee."
…..
Elizabeth was on cloud nine. They had gone out for coffee and hadn't gone to their respective places of residence until like 2am, Phoenix time. They had talked and talked and planned visits every couple months, alternating between Michigan and Pennsylvania. She had hoped he would kiss her and there had been times where it would have been perfect to do so but he didn't. She'd be patient.
In the morning, after just three hours of sleep, she showered and hurried over to Vi's to have breakfast with the girls and eventually get ready.
As soon as she saw Vi, she hugged her. "Happy wedding day and thank you so much!"
"Ah, you saw Lucas."
"I did. We happened to be at the movie theater last night. Same movie. What are the chances?"
"With you two? Pretty darn good. Don't you remember our vacation?"
"True."
"So…what did you two do last night after the movie?"
"We went and got coffee and just talked for hours. It was amazing."
"Are you two still 'just friends'?"
"No. We are officially dating."
The sisters squealed and then Julie walked in. "You two are squealing and jumping and I wasn't invited? How rude!"
"Lucas is here," Elizabeth told her. "And we went out last night and we decided to date."
More squealing happened and then they stopped to eat breakfast.
"Who wants a mimosa?" Vi asked, holding up the champagne and orange juice.
"Me!"
Eggs Benedict, mimosa's and coffee were served and then the hairdresser came and did the whole wedding party's hair, including Grace and Mrs. Kensington's. Next came makeup and then the bride and her party had to get pictures taken.
Villa Siena, wedding venue
Lucas came with Kyle to the venue so he was there as the women finished their photos. Elizabeth was beyond gorgeous in her dress. It was a dusty blue color that looked great with her dark hair.
She saw him and walked over and now he was speechless. Not only was the dress a nice compliment to her hair, but there was a slit halfway up her thigh.
Then, if that wasn't enough, the top of the dress was fitted and only covered one shoulder. and there was a tiny strip of her tanned skin showing on her side. Good heavens above.
"Hey, handsome," Elizabeth said, walking up and reaching for his hand. "Look at you in this suit." It was a very dark, black suit, a white button down and a gray tie. So perfect. His beard was trimmed, his hair styled nicely. Wow, the man knew how to clean up!
"Me? Look at you. You take my breath away." It seriously took every bit of restraint he had not to kiss her for the first time right then and there. But they weren't alone. The bridesmaids and Vi were still only about twenty feet away.
"You're very sweet, Lucas Bouchard." She reached up and kissed his cheek. "And you smell really good."
"Thank you." He brought his hand from behind his back and handed her a perfect white rose. "For you."
"Oh, its beautiful. Thank you, Lucas."
"You are very welcome."
"Beth?"
Elizabeth turned and put her hand in the crook of his elbow. "Mom. This is Lucas. Lucas, my mom, Grace."
"Its nice to meet you, Mrs.Thatcher."
"You as well, Lucas."
"Beth!" Vi called from the doorway to go into the venue. "Time to get into position."
"Coming."
Lucas and Grace stood behind, watching Elizabeth walk away. Lucas, speechless and Grace noticing his gaze.
"So you're from Michigan?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Grace."
"Of course. Grace. I live in Ann Arbor."
"I've never been but I've heard its beautiful in the fall."
"It is. Very."
Lucas noticed everyone else was heading inside and toward the courtyard where the vows would be said. "Grace? May I escort you inside?"
"You may. Thank you."
She took his arm and he led her inside. It had been quite a while since he met anyone's parents that he was dating. That being said, it seemed that Grace approved or at least tolerated his presence in her daughter's life. Hopefully Mr. Thatcher would feel the same.
"Grace?"
"Will," she said, speaking to the older man. "This is Lucas, Beth's date."
"Lucas? From Michigan?"
"Yes, sir. It's a pleasure to meet you." Lucas held out his hand and William shook it.
"You came all the way from Michigan to see my daughter whom you've known for three weeks?"
"Will, be nice, dear."
"Beth said you're friends. Is that all?"
"To be honest, sir, we had the intention of being only friends. Now, we have decided to see if we can make a relationship work."
"I see."
"Daddy, come on," Julie hissed, waving him in. "Vi is panicking that you're missing."
"I'm coming. Maybe we can continue this later, Lucas."
"Of course."
Grace patted Lucas' arm. "Don't worry. He's just being protective. I'll talk to him."
"I appreciate that but I don't mind explaining myself. We can have that talk."
"Alright, very well."
….
Lucas' eyes were trained on Elizabeth as she walked up the aisle with a guy he didn't know. Then as she helped who he assumed was Julie's daughter keep moving instead of picking up the flower petals she had just tossed.
Then her eyes met and held his gaze as the pastor was talking about love being patient and kind. How marriage was meant to be a lifelong partnership with plenty of give and take and ups and downs.
Then as Vi and Charles said their vows and exchanged rings, Elizabeth wiped a tear and smiled at him.
Finally the kiss that marked the beginning of Charles' and Vi's life as a married couple…well, he gazed at Elizabeth's soft lips and he could hardly wait to taste them.
He wanted to talk to her, hold her hand, and dance with her. Kissing would need to wait until they had privacy but he absolutely wanted to hurry through the evening so they could get to that part.
Lucas waited as the wedding party had to take more photos, some silly, some serious. Then he waited as the couple was announced walking into the ballroom. He waited some more as Vi and Charles cut the cake and even more as everyone waited to be served dinner.
Now, he watched as Vi and William danced the father/daughter dance. As Vi and Charles had their first dance as a married couple and as Elizabeth, Julie and both sets of parents joined them.
Finally, the dance floor was open to everyone so he got up out of his seat and walked directly over to Elizabeth.
She couldn't help but smile. "Hi there."
"Would you care to dance?" he asked, holding out his hand.
"I'd love to."
"You Are The Reason" by Calum Scott started, creating a slow, lazy atmosphere which was exactly what Lucas wanted. He wanted to hold her in his arms just like this for as long as possible.
"There goes my heart beating,
'Cause you are the reason
I'm losing my sleep
Please come back now,"
"I don't know how its possible," he admitted as they swayed, her right hand over his heart, his left hand grasping it.
"How what's possible?"
"That I could feel so much for someone I've only known for about a month."
"Its possible," she whispered back. "I do too."
"I really want this to work, Beth. You and me."
"Me too and we have a plan. We will see each other every couple months and talk or text as much as we can."
It didn't sound like enough but it would have to be. They lived 582.3 miles apart.
"I'm in this thing. This relationship for the long haul. Okay?"
"So am I."
"I'd climb every mountain
Swim every ocean
Just to be with you
And fix what I've broken
Oh, 'cause I need you to see
That you are the reason"
"Would you like to get some air?" he asked once the song finished.
"Yes please."
They walked hand in hand under the curved arches and columns of the venue. It was like they were in Tuscany.
"Next year, I want to go to Tuscany," Elizabeth mused. "Ever been?"
"No, not Italy but I bet it would be amazing."
She wouldn't pretend to presume he would go with her, but she couldn't think of anything more romantic than meeting the one you love in Europe. Her sisters wouldn't be going and she didn't want to go alone.
"Maybe I could go with you?" he asked.
"Reading minds now, are we, Mr. Bouchard?"
"Oui," he said with a wink, stopping and pulling her into his arms, into his bubble as it were.
"That's French." She rested her hands on his biceps and then moved them up to his shoulders.
"Very good," he teased.
"We are talking about Italy."
"I don't know Italian so I went with what I know."
"Kiss me, Lucas."
She didn't have to ask him twice. Literally two seconds after the words left her mouth, he did as she asked and it was perfect.
It was slow and careful, easing them into the next stage in their relationship. As they became more comfortable with each other, the kiss became more passionate, full of feelings and wants neither of them knew they were looking for.
She pulled back to breathe and buried her forehead in the space between his neck and shoulder. She felt safe there.
"When do you fly back?"
"Tomorrow at 1pm."
"Will you meet me for breakfast?"
"Of course. Nothing could stop me."
She looked up at him and he dipped his head down, giving her another lazy kiss.
She already missed him.
