Chapter 12

Capital City, Alberta Canada

Saturday, November 8, 1924

"Good morning, Governor." MaKayla said softly as her husband stirred awake.

"Any morning that I wake up in your arms is a good morning." Lucas said happily.

"But today is extra special. My adorable husband turns 36 today. In addition to being sworn in for a second term as governor after a very satisfying landslide victory over Chairman Reynolds." MaKayla said as she kissed him gently.

"I do admit winning by such an overwhelming margin was satisfying. And to actually walk away from election day in one piece with no new bullets holes is a much better prognosticator for the start of my second term. When I was sworn in four years ago, it was just me, Judge Farnsworth, Edwin and a nurse as a witness in my hospital room. I'm looking forward to this swearing in ceremony. Even though it will be just as small but having you by my side with our children will make it very special. I wish Jack could be here but I understand with school and all why he couldn't come." He said as he kissed her seductively.

"But Lucas, you were cheated out of a proper swearing in ceremony the first time." MaKayla lamented.

"Elizabeth always thought I wanted a grander stage; she mistook my liking nice things to wanting grander everything. Seriously, all I need is you and the twins there; all the rest is nice but hardly necessary." He told her sincerely.

"So, is there anything else you would like to do to start off your birthday, Governor?" MaKayla whispered sweetly.

"I thought you would never ask Mrs. Bouchard," Lucas said as he turned on his side and started to caress MaKayla's shoulder moving gently down her torso.

"Mommy, Daddy up. Come get us" Came the call from across the hall. Lucas's hand stopped moving.

"Did you hear that?" Lucas asked afraid to move.

"You mean little voices, asking to get up?" MaKayla asked in a whispered giggle. "I do believe; this little activity will have to be continued at a later time."

"Wait a minute or two, maybe they will go back to sleep." He said hopefully.

"Lucas, we are talking about our children." She told him with a laugh. "You know that won't be happening. Wait here." MaKayla got out of bed, readjusted her nightgown and put on her robe. She returned to the bedroom a little while later with two little visitors leading the way.

"Happy Birfday, Daddy" The twins shouted as they came into the room running over to the bed. "Up" they both called at the same time as Lucas lifted them both onto the bed.

"What do you two have there?" Lucas asked as the twins handed him the paper, they held in each of their hands.

"Daddy card." Ciara told him.

"You made Daddy birthday cards." Lucas said as he looked at the papers with scribbles in different colors. "These are beautiful." He told them with a smile as the twins leaned in to smother him in kisses.

"We do have a present for you." MaKayla said as she pulled a package out of her nightstand drawer. She handed it to Ciara to give to her father.

"Daddy open." Ciara told him as the twins clapped their hands.

Lucas took the package and began to open it as the twins helped him. In the package was a triple picture frame. In the first frame was a picture of just Lucas and MaKayla, in the middle frame was a picture of all four of them with Jack and lastly a picture of just the twins with Jack.

"Oh, MaKayla this is beautiful. I love it. Thank you so much. When were these taken? I don't remember sitting for a photographer session." He told her as she tried to sneak a kiss past the twins who were not moving off their father's lap.

"I enlisted Carson's help at the airport opening. With everything going on that day, I didn't think you would notice." She smiled happily.

"I will have to thank him the next time I see him. These are wonderful." Lucas told her.

"Of course, in 4 months we will have to redo these pictures." MaKayla said as she rubbed her expanding abdomen. The gesture did not go unnoticed by the twins.

"Baby." They both said together.

Lucas and MaKayla laughed. "Yes, baby. Soon we will be a family of six." Lucas told the twins.

"Ok, you three, are you ready to go downstairs and have some pancakes?" MaKayla asked

"Pancakes, you bet." Lucas told her happily as they all started to get out of the bed.

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Lucas, MaKayla and the twins got into the car to go to Judge Farnsworth's office for the swearing in ceremony. As they were driving, Lucas noticed that Declan was going the wrong way.

"Declan, this is not the way to Judge Farnsworth's office." Lucas told his bodyguard.

"Sorry sir, I thought you knew. Judge Farnsworth's office is being renovated so they had to move the location of the swearing in ceremony. The ceremony will be at the Capital building in your office." Declan told him.

"I guess Henry forgot to tell me." Lucas commented. "No problem, one office is as good as another." Lucas told MaKayla.

As they pulled up to the Capital, Lucas helped MaKayla and the twins get out of the car. He picked up Matthew, as MaKayla picked up Ciara, as they climbed the stairs to enter the building. Once inside Lucas started to walk over to the elevator but MaKayla didn't follow.

"Lucas, come this way." MaKayla told him. Lucas looked at her perplexed.

"My office is three floors up. Why would we go that way?" Lucas asked confused.

"Another birthday surprise, Governor. Follow me." MaKayla told him with a wink.

"What are you up to Doc?" Lucas asked suspiciously.

Two Mounties were standing at the door to the rotunda of the Capital where special speeches and ceremonies were held. They opened the doors as the first family walked through. As they entered, Lucas stopped. The entire rotunda was filled to capacity. MaKayla looked over at her husband with a bright smile.

"This is all for you, my love. Walk with me to the stage." MaKayla told him. They made their way to the stage while the crowd was applauding and cheering loudly.

Once they reached the stage, Lucas looked out into the audience and was flabbergasted at all the people, but mostly by the contingent of people from Hope Valley that were there. Suddenly the twins wanted down as they saw Jack standing on the stage next to Bill Avery.

They went running to Jack to hug him eliciting aww's from the audience as the children hugged each other. Lucas turned back and looked out at the audience again. He saw Andrew and Jenny Donovan, Nathan and Faith with their children, Elizabeth, Carson, Minnie and Joseph Canfield with their two children, Ned and Florence Yost, Molly Sullivan, Gustave, Mike and Mei Hickam, Alex Cottington, Lee and Rosemary Coulter with their daughter, Mrs. Cleveland, Henry and Edwin and his wife. His parents were there, MaKayla's sister, Sarah with her husband Liam and their two little ones. Seamus Donovan along with MaKayla's grandparents. The fact that they had come from New York for this was overwhelming. There were also friends of MaKayla's from the hospital that were now his friends as well. The entire legislative body also appeared to be in attendance even Chairman Reynolds. He also saw Daniel Sterling smiling broadly up at him.

Judge Farnsworth walked up to the podium while looking over at Lucas. "I can see Governor that today comes as a complete surprise to you." The judge chuckled along with the audience. "Your beautiful wife wanted you to have what was robbed from you four years ago. She came to me and asked if the swearing in ceremony could be a bit more public than what is usual for a second term and I whole heartedly agreed with her." Lucas squeezed his wife's hand trying desperately to hold back the wave of emotion that was threatening to overtake him.

"I would ask Pastor Canfield from Hope Valley to come up to the stage to give the invocation to start us off." Judge Farnsworth told the audience. Joseph rose from his seat and made his way to the stage. He stopped and gave Lucas a big bear hug.

"Dear Father, all those who serve are entrusted by the citizens of this province to do the work on our behalf. It is our deepest wish that all that serve in this building approach their work with wisdom, courage, compassion and humility. As they work together may they treat each other with respect. May they recognize compromise as a sign of strength, not weakness. And most of all, dear Father, may Governor Bouchard be blessed with peace and happiness as he begins his second term as our governor. Amen." Joseph bowed his head and then turned to Lucas with a nod and a smile as he returned to his seat.

Judge Farnsworth went back to the podium. "Thank you, Pastor Canfield that was a wonderful invocation. I would now like to ask Mrs. Bouchard to stand by the piano as she sings O Canada. For any of you who have had the pleasure of hearing Mrs. Bouchard sing at the Governor's Christmas Gala's, you know you are in for a real treat."

The Judge looked at MaKayla and smiled as the audience stood again. MaKayla walked over to the piano. As MaKayla sang the song with so much heart that Lucas could not help but let a tear escape from his overflowing eyes. His wife's voice was beautiful. MaKayla rejoined her husband and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

Judge Farnsworth returned to the podium. "That was beautiful, Mrs. Bouchard. Now I would ask Judge William Avery and young Jack Thornton Jr. to come forward along with Governor Bouchard and his family. I would also like the governor's parents to come up to the stage as well. Judge Avery will do the actual swearing in today and young Mr. Thornton will hold the bible as his father places his right hand upon it." He told the crowd.

"We will first have the Governor pledge his oath to Canada." Bill told the crowd.

"I Lucas Gabriel Bouchard swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to his Majesty King Edward V…." Lucas stated firmly and loudly.

"Now the Governor will pledge his oath of office." Bill told the crowd.

"I Lucas Gabriel Bouchard, do solemnly and sincerely promise and declare that I will truly and faithfully, and to the best of my skill and knowledge, execute the powers and trusts reposed in me as Governor of Alberta. So, help me God." Lucas stated as the audience broke out into applause.

"Governor Bouchard, would you please say a few words?" Bill asked Lucas.

Lucas turned to face the audience as Ciara went to her father and raised her arms for him to pick her up. Holding his daughter tight, Lucas let out a breath and began to speak.

"I'm sorry I wasn't expecting any of this so I have nothing prepared, so I will just speak from my heart. Thank you to everyone who came here today to be part of this day. Four years ago, I didn't seek the governorship as a goal for myself. I expected to finish my mandate and move on. The last four years have been nothing that I would ever have expected and certainly much different than I ever imagined. And although it was fraught with many hardships and disappointments, it has also brought me some of my greatest joys. Each step took me to where I am today." He paused for a moment to collect his thoughts.

"Personally, I am so very blessed to be in a happy and loving marriage with beautiful children and friends from all walks of life. I could truly desire nothing greater. I had no intention of seeking a second term but once again forces beyond my control intervened and well, here I am again." He said with a slight chuckle. "It is my sincere hope that the next four years will bring health, prosperity and happiness to all citizens of Alberta. As your governor, it is my desire to be able to help make those things a possibility for all. Thank You." Lucas said as he backed away from the podium overcome by emotion to say much more. Ciara gave her father a kiss on the cheek as MaKayla, Jack and Matthew joined him center stage as the audience applauded the first family of Alberta.

Bill Avery walked back up to the podium. "There are refreshments and drinks in the lobby along with a vanilla lavender cake in honor of the Governor's 36th birthday today. Made by none other than the governor's cousin, Gustave. Please enjoy." Bill told everyone.

Helen and Martin walked over to their son. "Lucas, we are so incredibly proud of you." Martin told his son beaming.

"Martin, let's not bother them now. We will take the twins into the lobby while you two enjoy a moment alone." Helen told them with a smile as they each took a hand of a twin as Jack followed after them.

Lucas wrapped his arms around his wife's expanding waist. "Mrs. Bouchard you have once again amazed me. Thank you for this. I actually enjoyed myself very much. I guess I needed this more than I thought." Lucas told her as he kissed her.

"I'm glad. I wanted you to have this, Lucas. You deserve the public recognition." She told him sincerely.

"We deserve the public recognition." He told her. "None of this would have been possible without you by my side. I was a very broken man four years ago and you made me whole again." As he kissed her once again more passionately.

"My goodness, Governor, but you are a bit frisky today." She laughed.

"Can I help it if I'm madly in love with my wife, who makes me happier than I have ever been in my life." He told her with a dimpled grin.

She returned his smile with one of her own. "Let's go join the others before all your cake is gone." She teased him.

Out in the lobby everyone was mingling and having a good time. "Lucas I'm going to go over and talk to some of the people from the hospital. Do you want to join me?" MaKayla asked.

"No, I think I will visit with some of our other guests from Hope Valley. Lucas told her as she kissed him and then went off to speak with her friends. Lucas caught sight of Andrew in what appeared to be a deep discussion with Daniel. Lucas thought of going over there but decided he did not want to know what they were discussing, not today. Instead, he went over to Elizabeth who was having a conversation with Alex Cottington.

"Hello, you two." Lucas said as he came up to Elizabeth and Alex. "Elizabeth, I was wondering if perhaps you would let Jack stay the rest of the week here in Capital City with us?" Lucas asked with a hopeful grin. "Henry will be making a trip to Hope Valley at the end of the week and he could take him home then."

"I don't know Lucas; he would miss a whole week of school. And don't think I didn't see you and Jack over there before concocting some plan or another." Elizabeth said giving Lucas a knowing smile.

"If you leave some schoolwork for him to do, I promise he will do it." Lucas told her acknowledging her knowing smile.

"Ok, you win. He can stay but you promise he will be home next Sunday?" Elizabeth asked.

"Absolutely." Lucas said. "Let me go tell him. Thank you, Elizabeth." Lucas said as he walked away happy.

"Elizabeth, I hope you don't mind if I ask but I'm confused about why Jack calls Lucas, Papa. Judge Farnsworth called Lucas Jack's father. I mean… I know he isn't the boy's biological father unless there is something I'm missing here." Alex asked confused.

"Alex, I forget that you have only been in Hope Valley since the summer. I guess you would be confused by Jack's relationship with Lucas." Elizabeth said with a soft laugh. "That is a very long story and one that I mostly regret. The short version is that Lucas and I were once engaged." She told him with a touch of melancholy.

"You were engaged to the Governor?" He asked incredulously.

"Well, he wasn't the governor when we were engaged. He was the owner of the saloon and one night I made the very regrettable decision to end things. The reasons don't really matter now but by that point, Lucas and Jack thought of themselves as father and son. Jack has only ever asked one thing of me and that was to let Lucas be his Papa. Fortunately, Lucas is a very forgiving man and MaKayla is a very understanding woman. Lucas gladly agreed to continue to assume the role of Jack's father with MaKayla's blessing. I know some people find it very strange since Lucas and I never married but I'm very grateful for his continued love and support of my son." She said with a smile.

"I hope someday to hear the whole story." Alex told her with curiosity.

"Hmm, perhaps I will tell you… someday." Elizabeth said with a faraway look in her eyes making Alex very curious about the circumstances that caused them to part.

Nathan came up to Lucas after Lucas informed Jack that he got the green light for him to stay the week. "Lucas, how are you feeling? Are you all healed up from the plane crash?" Nathan asked him.

"Yes. As good as before. I have a new scar to add to my collection but other than that I'm doing great." He told Nathan with a chuckle.

"What do you suppose Daniel and Andrew are talking about over there? They appear to be in deep discussion about something." Nathan noted with curiosity.

"Well, Constable, I'm not sure but for today at least I have chosen to ignore what they may be discussing. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be too happy about it." Lucas told him.

"What is it you think they are discussing?" Nathan asked puzzled.

"If I know Andrew and I do. He is peppering Daniel with questions about Matthew Aucoin." Lucas told him as Nathan watched the two men closely.

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"Daniel, I'm so glad to see you here. It saves me a telephone call." Andrew told Lucas's friend.

"Hmm, how can I be of assistance young man?" Daniel inquired.

"Well, when Lucas and I were lost in the forest, we had a lot of time to talk. One subject we touched on was Matthew Aucoin. I'm not sure if you know that Matthew and I were good friends at university as well." Andrew told him.

"I believe I did know that. So, what is your question about Matthew?" Daniel asked curiously.

"I know Matthew resigned from the CSIS when he married Jeanette. But I was wondering if he ever worked for the agency again after that?" Andrew asked.

"No, he didn't. Although, he did contact me in the early summer of 1914. I believe it was in regards to some information he had overheard at his saloon. Unfortunately, we were knee deep in the beginning of the war effort at that time and I told him to contact Superintendent Sam Collins with the information he had. I never heard from Matthew again, so I assumed he gave the information to Sam and that was that. What is it that you are thinking?" Daniel asked not sure if he was going to like what Andrew had to say.

"Interesting. Do you think that I could speak to this Superintendent Collins to inquire as to the nature of the information that Matthew wanted to share?" Andrew asked hopefully

"Why don't you tell me what you are up to young man before I give you an answer." Daniel told him with one eyebrow raised in concern.

"Lucas told me what happened the night that Matthew was killed. In hearing the story, I just think there are too many unanswered questions. You're also aware that Lucas has tormented himself over Matthew's death believing that the blame rests squarely on his shoulders. Maybe everything happened for the reasons that you all believe but what if there is much more to this story? Don't we owe it to Lucas and to Matthew to find out the full story?" Andrew asked passionately.

Daniel eyed the young man with interest. "Superintendent Collins is retired now. I'll tell you what I will do. I will contact him directly myself and see if there is anything to your theory. I will get back to you in a couple of weeks." Daniel told him.

Andrew smiled at Daniel; he would've much rather spoken to Collins himself but for now he would do things Daniel's way. But he had no intention of letting this drop.