A/N: Your lovely, supportive reviews made my week! So, if you liked the love and romance of the last chapter, here's a bit more of that. Please note, it's still their honeymoon, so the strong "T" rating still applies.

Chapter 4

Lucas awoke to the sensation of Elizabeth's small, warm hands roaming over his chest. He basked in the at once soothing and sensual bliss of her caresses before opening his eyes to watch her. By the way the bedroom glowed pink and gold, he could tell that the sun was setting, and he was surprised that he had slept so long. Images of their last encounter inundated his mind, and his body reacted accordingly, especially when her mischievous hands swept lower.

She gasped in surprise when he suddenly covered her body with his, his mouth seeking her parted lips. This time, he was in no hurry.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

When they'd entered their suite earlier, neither of them had even noticed the darling little cake that had been left for them as per Lucas's previous instruction to the hotel. On the coffee table in the sitting room, the white coconut layer cake with raspberry filling rested beneath its glass cover, a bottle of champagne chilling in an ice bucket, a bowl of fresh strawberries just waiting to be eaten.

In search of a drink of water, Elizabeth had discovered the celebratory display, and delightedly cut a large piece, taking the plated cake and the dripping bottle back to the bedroom. Lucas was sitting up in bed, three pillows behind him, the sheet just reaching his waist. She paused in the doorway to look at him, so very beautiful, his messy dark hair stark against the white pillowcases.

"I see you found dessert," he said, his voice low and rough with sleepy satisfaction.

"Someone thoughtfully arranged for us to have cake for our wedding night."

He gave a noncommittal shrug, but her heart leapt at the hungry look in his eyes which she knew had little to do with cake. "Come here," he beckoned.

She grinned and set the champagne on the bedside table, then climbed back on the bed to sit cross-legged beside him, her lace dressing gown doing little to protect her modesty. She bent and kissed him, and his hand went to her hair, forgetting for a moment the plate between them. She sat back before they could get too carried away again, Lucas chuckling when her stomach gave a loud growl.

"I'm starving," she explained, blushing. "I was too nervous to eat much at lunch."

"I noticed. Perhaps we should call for room service and get something heartier than cake. I think we both need to refortify our energies…" The hand on her bare thigh gave a suggestive squeeze.

She laughed. "I will not be distracted, Lucas Bouchard, not when there's cake to be had."

"I'm well aware of your sweet tooth, Mrs. Bouchard."

It was the first time she'd heard her new name, and her eyes softened. She reached out and touched his cheek, caressing the soft beard that had so recently rested against her heart. "I think that's the most wonderful thing you've ever said to me."

Lucas turned his head and kissed her palm. He didn't pretend to misunderstand what she meant. "Then I'll be sure to say it every chance I get, Mrs. Bouchard."

Despite the tempting cake between them, Elizabeth gave in for a moment to the sweetness of his warm lips. Of course, she could never forget cake for long, and sat back before she dumped dessert on the sheets.

She cleared her throat in her most teacherly manner. "Now, back to the subject at hand. I believe it's customary for the bride and groom to feed each other cake on their wedding day, so…Oh, I forgot the forks," she lamented, moving to go back to the sitting room.

But Lucas, ever a good strategist, swiped a chunk of cake from the plate with his fingers and held it to her lips, his eyes sparkling at her. "No matter—that's why God gave us hands."

She opened her lips to receive his gift, briefly closing them as she savored the burst of coconut and raspberry jam. "Hmmmm."

After she chewed the bite, Lucas bent to taste the frosting on her lips.

"You're right. Delicious."

"Your turn," she said, her heartrate soaring. She took another piece and playfully hovered around his mouth before smashing it into his face. She giggled at his surprised expression, then backed away a little when she saw vengeance in his eyes. Before she could escape, he grabbed her hand and licked frosting from her fingertips.

There followed the most erotic experience of her life. She'd never imagined frosting could be utilized so…creatively. Years later, it would still make her blush, thinking about it.

Xxxxxxxxxxxx

Later, after a delicious dinner from room service, Lucas lay back in the warm bath, his bride relaxing against his chest. Beneath the foamy, lavender scented water, their legs entwined, his arms rested about her slim torso. Candlelight flickered in the darkness, the half-eaten bowl of strawberries and glasses of lukewarm champagne sparkled on the tray stretching across the end of the tub. In intimate tones, they talked about their future.

"There's something I've been thinking about for a while, and since I've resolved not to repeat mistakes of the past, I thought I would ask your opinion."

She managed a lazy smile. "That's always a wise choice, dear husband."

He kissed her damp cheek. "So I am learning. At any rate, what would you say if I bought the land just west of the church? As charming as your little row house is, I think we'll need a bit more room, once our passel of children comes along." He felt her tense as the old argument about being too far from Rosemary came to mind, along with the memory of how her late husband had once offered her the same thing. He tightened his arms reassuringly before she could get upset. "And what would you say if I offered to split the property with Lee, suggesting that he and Rosemary build a new house of their own—right next to ours?"

She turned her head so she could see his face. "Really?"

"Yes," he replied softly, love and hope in his gaze. "The house could be any style you want, as modest or luxurious as you please. You and Jack could design the rooms to your taste. You'd be closer to the school, and—"

"Oh, Lucas, that would be heavenly!"

He let out a relieved breath. "I think it would be. I want to start our life together in a place that reflects all of us. I'd love to have rooms enough that our families could visit in comfort, where we could have large gatherings of friends during the holidays. Where we could sit on our front porch and watch the deer venture in at sunset, or see Jack catch fireflies on a summer night. Where we could sit before a roaring fireplace when the snow piles high outside, sipping hot chocolate and cuddling on a sofa that is actually long enough for my legs."

She laughed at the idyllic vision he was creating. "We definitely don't have room for that in my row house."

"No, we don't" He found her hands and laced their now wrinkled fingers together. "I've never had a real home, Elizabeth, and it's my greatest wish in life to share such a place with you, my love…my wife." He pressed his lips gratefully to her temple, his eyes closed as unexpected tears of joy threatened to overtake him.

"Oh, I know it is," she was saying. "And I regret not seeing that before. I was so selfish not to consider your feelings too—"

"Hey, you still had doubts and fears then, Elizabeth. I was selfish too, expecting you to move you and your son away from the security of a home you loved, from neighbors you loved. Was I disappointed? Of course. But that's in the past. We are both more certain of each other now, more committed to a shared future together. Let's think about that and move on from mistakes of the past."

"I want that too, Lucas," she whispered, and she moved around in the tub to face him, both heedless of the bit of water that sloshed over the side onto the tiled floor. She lovingly smoothed his damp beard and leaned forward to kiss him-a slow, sensual meeting of hearts and minds.

When she finally pulled away and rested again in his arms, a sudden thought occurred.

"With regard to children," she broached, "exactly how would you define a passel?"

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

They made love again in the night, their passion seeming to know no bounds, no end, no slaking of their thirst for one another. The morning was bittersweet, realizing they must return home and begin their ruse.

"I don't know if I can just leave you on your doorstep," he told her, as they lay on their sides facing one another. "I do care about Allie's feelings, of course I do, but…" He trailed off, seeing the stubborn light in her eyes.

He sighed and reached out to touch her face. "I don't want to argue. I'll try my best. But Elizabeth, now that I've had you in my arms like this, it's going to be even more unbearable returning to my empty bed at the hotel."

"I know. Me too. But please, be patient a little longer. Who knows, maybe if I pay her some extra attention, get her to see that I truly care about what she's going through, she might soften toward the idea. Besides, this was the tradeoff for eloping, remember?"

He pulled her closer. "Clearly, I was overcome with lust to make such a deal with you," he said.

"You weren't the only one," she whispered against his lips.

Xxxxxxxxxx

The drive back to Hope Valley took a considerably longer time than the drive to Union City had. Lucas took scenic routes that took them by mountain streams and beautiful forested vistas. They ate the lunch the hotel had packed for them on a blanket in a meadow of tall grass and wildflowers, far off the country road. Coincidentally, it offered a concealed place for them to make love again, their joining wild and urgent and tinged with the thought that they would have to hide this aspect of their relationship once they reached Hope Valley.

By mid-afternoon, they entered their hometown, where the people they knew and loved were busily doing their Saturday shopping, teenagers loitering about the ice cream shoppe, laughing and making plans for swimming or fishing later, or perhaps a slumber party. Elizabeth waved to her students as they passed, but Allie's back was to them, so she was spared the awkwardness of the girl seeing her with Lucas.

"She's going to have to get used to it," said Lucas beside her.

"I know. Just four months more…"

Lucas didn't reply. More and more he was regretting this decision to hide things, but he would try to be patient. He'd gotten what he'd wanted most—she was his wife! They'd had their wedding afternoon, evening, night, morning, and afternoon again, he mused, as he steered the car toward her row house; he could live on those memories for a lifetime if he had to.

After he helped her out of the car, she gave his hand a squeeze for strength, patted where the three rings hung round her neck beneath her dress (her engagement ring and their two wedding bands), and went to Rosemary's door to get her son.

She knocked several times, but there was no answer.

"They must be out," she said.

For Lucas, this was good news. He was holding her suitcase behind her, but with the news Rosemary wasn't home, he went back and retrieved her dress box and joined her on the front porch of her house.

She'd just unlocked the door when suddenly a pair of strong arms was carrying her over the threshold.

She laughed. "Lucas! Someone might see."

He kissed her soundly before setting her down. "I looked around first," he told her. "You couldn't deny me that little tradition now, could you?"

She smiled. "It's what every woman dreams of too," she said. She moved closer to him as they stood just inside the doorway. "It won't be long until you can come home to stay," she said, tiptoeing up to kiss him softly on the lips.

His hands moved to her waist, increasing the passion tenfold.

After a few moments, he pulled reluctantly away, then got her things again from the porch to take them upstairs for her. Just as he'd reached Elizabeth's room, a knock came on the front door. He stilled to listen, feeling like he'd been caught, even though now he had every right to be there.

"Elizabeth! You're back! How was your trip?"

"Mama!" said little Jack, before she had a chance to answer, and Lucas could hear the scamper of little feet followed by Elizabeth's loving murmurs.

"Where's Lucas?" Rosemary asked. Lucas frowned. Of course she knew he was there—his car was parked right out front.

"Oh, he was kind enough to take my luggage to my room."

Lucas rushed to top of the stairs, slowed and smiled his casual greeting, even though his heart was pounding.

"Good afternoon, Rosemary."

"Buddy!" Jack exclaimed. And soon he was picking up a not-so-little boy and playing airplane with him through the living room while Elizabeth put the kettle on and caught up with her friend.

"Oh, Lucas," Rosemary said, "Lee and Hickam installed the stage curtains this morning. It looks so elegant, so très moderne!"

"Excellent," he said, landing the little airplane on his feet. "I'm hoping for an August opening. I have placed orders for our first films, and when those arrive, we can start advertising."

"I'm so excited!" said Rosemary, and Elizabeth concurred. "I'll start a mock-up of the announcement for the Voice."

"Thank you."

"Now, Elizabeth, tell me all about everything you did in Union City. And the play! How was Pygmalion? I saw it on opening night in New York right before I moved here long ago."

Fortunately, Elizabeth had seen it in Hamilton herself around that time.
"It was wonderful," she said brightly, the lie slipping out too easily. She reached for her reticule and opened it to pull out the play program she'd thoughtfully had delivered from the theatre to their hotel that morning.

Rosemary perused it with much interest, and Elizabeth met Lucas's eyes guiltily.

"Perhaps we can have a touring group come to our theatre and perform it," she said. "Wouldn't that be just splendiloquent?"

They had designed the building to double as a venue for live performances as well as for moving pictures.

"It would," Elizabeth agreed.

Jack had run upstairs to get the toy plane Lucas had given him, and from above, they heard him exclaim: "Mama! What's this? Did you bring me a present?"

There was the distinct sound of something dropping to the floor and being dragged toward the top of the stairs. Elizabeth's eyes widened. He must have found her dress box. She looked frantically at Lucas, who immediately understood what had happened.

"I'll get him," said Lucas, jumping into action. "Coming, Buddy," he called.

"Whatever did you bring him?" asked Rosemary.

Elizabeth had meant to get out and maybe look around Union City a bit, get a gift for Jack and the Coulters, but after the wedding, she and Lucas hadn't left their bed, much less the hotel. She blushed as sensual images flashed unbidden to mind.

"I wasn't in the mood for shopping," said Elizabeth. "He's probably nosing about, looking in my suitcase." She had brought back a few pastries from their morning breakfast tray—the second meal they'd shared in bed.

"So, you and Lucas seem much…closer. Do I hear wedding bells by chance?"

"What?" she said, choking on her tea. Rosemary helpfully patted her back.

"I wouldn't have been surprised if the two of you eloped, but that would be silly; you know how much it means to me to be there for your wedding."

"Of course," croaked Elizabeth hoarsely, clearing her throat.

Lucas and Jack came back downstairs again, Jack munching on a cherry Danish from breakfast.

"He found your present," said Lucas. "I hope it doesn't ruin his dinner."

"That's fine," said Elizabeth, thanking Lucas with her eyes. This was not going to be easy. Rosemary was too smart, too naturally suspicious to keep this from her for long.

"It's yummy! I love cherries!"

"I know you do," said Elizabeth. "Now, tell me what you and Auntie Rosemary did while I was away…"

Lucas left after a few minutes, although he hated every moment of the short drive back to The Queen of Hearts. He was greeted by Mike and Henry and Gustave, who were preparing things for the usually busy Saturday night, and he got to work helping them, hoping it would take his mind off his new wife and how much he missed her already.

When the dinner rush was over, he found a few minutes to go to his office and call Elizabeth.

"Hello, dear wife," he said, when he was sure Florence was off the line.

"Hello, dear husband. I miss you."

Lucas sat heavily in his chair. "You couldn't possibly miss me more than I have missed you all evening. I can barely concentrate, imagining all the things we could be doing right now. Gustave had to tell me three times that we were out of roast beef."

Her quiet laughter in his ear made his heart clench.

"I understand completely. I was reading Peter Pan to Jack, and I confess my mind began to wander back to a certain little white church—was it just yesterday? Oh Lucas, I-I don't know if I can do this."

He could hear the tears in her voice, and a wave of longing overtook him.

"Is Jack asleep?"

"Yes."

"I'll be right over."

The ten-minute walk took Lucas five.

A/N: Hmmm…I'm sure your burning questions are, how long can they keep this up? How long before Rosemary or someone else catches them? Was this just a silly, colossal mistake? Join me in the next chapter, and we'll see how strong-willed our newlyweds are. Thanks for reading, and Happy Veteran's Day to those who have served in the armed forces.