Brunch, Helen and Roger's house

"Good morning, Mom," Lucas said, kissing Helen's cheek. Then he shook Roger's hand.

"Morning, Luke," Roger greeted. "Good to see you."

"You too. Mom, Roger, this is my girlfriend, Elizabeth Thatcher. Beth, this is Helen and Roger."

Andrea joined the party a few minutes later and they all sat down to have brunch.

"This is so good, Helen," Elizabeth mentioned, after taking a bite of the eggs benedict.

"I'm glad you like it. Lucas said you're from Philadelphia?"

"I am. I have a party planning business there. Thatcher's Events and More."

"Oh, that must be an interesting line of work," Andrea mentioned. "Do you do weddings and birthdays, that kind of thing?"

"Exactly. I actually landed an office party gig too. There's a large accounting firm downtown and we were hired to do all their retirement parties, birthdays and holidays that happen throughout the year. Its so huge for us."

"That's really great," Roger said. "Congratulations."

"So can you basically work from anywhere?" Andrea asked, winking at Lucas. He just rolled his eyes.

"I can do alot remotely," she admitted. "I also have great co-workers that do an amazing job."

"So if you moved…say here to Michigan…"

"Andrea," Lucas chuckled.

"Sorry, but…its a good question, I think."

"Lucas and I still need to figure some things out," Elizabeth confirmed. "But yes, if I moved to Michigan, I was thinking I could have a Michigan branch of Thatcher's Events."

"That would be awesome!"

"I think so too."

She put her hand on Lucas' thigh and patted. She really did agree with Andrea. She just knew it wasn't something that could be done in just a few weeks. She still had six months left on her lease at her apartment, she needed to see if Flo and Molly really wanted to take over the company in Philly and she needed to find a place to live in Michigan.

"To be fair, I also could move to Philly and get a management job at a bank there."

"Babe, your dream job. Its here. I really think you should take it."

Their eyes met and held for a moment. He really appreciated all the support she was giving him. What an amazing woman he had met. He threaded their fingers together.

"We'll talk more. I haven't even applied."

"What job?" Helen asked, pouring more coffee in everyone's cups.

"There's a finance job at the bank."

"It's VP of finance," Elizabeth said, so proud of him. "You would be awesome for that job."

He kissed her temple and all the others at the table raised their eyebrows. They were definitely seeing a different side of Lucas. He wasn't demonstrative with Janette. Only Beth.

After they finished eating, Helen took Lucas aside to the master. She pulled open her top drawer and pulled out a ring box. "Son, I have something for you."

"You're proposing?" he teased.

"Ha, ha. No, but I think that you may soon so I wanted to give this to you."

He opened it and he looked up. "Your ring? And Dad's?"

"My wedding band from your father and his from me. I kept them for you. If you think Beth would like mine, I'd love for you to have it. If she wants her own, I understand. And you. If you want your own band.."

Hers was a diamond and ruby anniversary bank, with seven diamonds and seven rubies encircling it. It sparkled in the light from the window and he really did think Beth would like it. Martin's ring was just a simple gold band but it was something very special.

"Thank you, Mom. I think its great that you want to give these to us. Are you sure?"

"Of course I am. Your father and I had a wonderful marriage and these rings were very important symbols of that. I want to pass them on to you, son."

He hugged her tightly and rested his chin on her head. "I love you, Mom."

"I love you too, Lucas. And Elizabeth…Lucas, she's wonderful."

"She is," he agreed, a huge smile on his face. "I love her, Mom. Very much."

"I know, darling," she nodded, patting his cheek. "From what I can see, I might get my wish of finally having a daughter."

….

Later, Lucas' house

"Are you sure you don't mind not going to dinner?" Elizabeth asked, sipping her wine as they relaxed in bed.

He chuckled. "Um, not one bit." She blushed and nudged him with her foot.

"I bet."

"Beth…about moving. You or me. Does it make sense for you to move here?"

"My lease ends in six months for my apartment, unless I pay to break it. Plus I need to work out contract details with Flo and Molly. That will take time. But after that stuff, I think it does. Especially if you seriously want to go for that VP of Finance job."

"Thank you. For believing in me," he said, leaning over to kiss her lips. "That means so much."

"I love you, Lucas. I will always believe in you, support you."

He got up and grabbed the box that his mom gave him earlier and sat back down.

"My mom gave me my dad's wedding ring and hers. What do you think?"

"They're beautiful, Lucas."

"When we get married, would you be alright with wearing her ring? I'd get you an engagement ring too, of course."

She nodded and touched the lovely diamond and ruby band. "I would love to wear it."

"Okay."

"Can I try it on?" she asked, holding her finger out.

He slowly slid it on her left ring finger. "It fits."

"Its perfect."

She reached up and touched his cheek, giving him a smile. "You're perfect."

"Beth?"

"Hm?" she asked, kissing his jaw and then his earlobe. He shivered and she giggled.

"Will you marry me?"

She pulled back to see if he was serious. He seemed serious. No sign of a smirk on his lips.

"Yes."

"Yes?"

"Mmhm," she nodded. "Of course I will."

"That's great!" He laughed. "Wow. Oh no. I don't have a ring yet. But…maybe by the time you come next time, I will. Next month, right?"

"Lucas?"

He raised his eyebrows. "Yeah?"

"Shhh. Come here." He of course went into her arms willingly. There was no other choice for him.

….

Later that night, Lucas drove Elizabeth to the airport and walked her inside, holding her hand and keeping her close for every last second.

June 25th felt like an eternity but they could do it. They'd done it before.

"I need to get to security, Luke," she said, turning into him and holding him tightly. This leaving thing killed her.

He kissed her forehead and then nose, cheeks and finally he met her lips. She loved his lips and the feel of his beard against her face. She never wanted him to shave it. Ever.

"Call me, Beth," he mumbled against her lips.

"When I land," she agreed with one more stroke against his lips. "I love you."

"I love you." He watched her walk away and he felt that familiar ache as part of his heart left again.

…..

When Lucas got to work the next day, he applied for the VP of Finance job, like he and Elizabeth had discussed. Within two days, he had an interview scheduled.

The afternoon of that first interview, he was asked for a second interview.

"That's wonderful, Luke. You're going to get this job. I know it."

"I hope so." If he got the job, he'd be able to afford a different house for Beth and himself. One with more than one bedroom for when they grew their family. One that he hadn't shared with Janette.

"Luke?"

"I'm sorry. What?"

"I talked to Flo and Molly and they want to be partners with me and run the business here."

"That's great, honey. Things seem to be working out."

"I know. It takes some weight off."

"I was thinking."

"About?"

"Buying a larger house. For us. What do you think?"

"I think I'll be fine wherever because we'll be together but when we have children, one bedroom is too tiny."

"Yeah that's what I think too."

"Maybe when I come in June, we can talk about it more?"

"Absolutely."

"My other line is ringing, babe. I'll call you tonight, alright?"

"Okay, Beth. Love you."

"Love you."

Luke couldn't help himself though. He started searching for houses between Ann Arbor and Brighton where the headquarters was. He found a few that were possibilities that he would save for when she visited.

As the weeks wore on, things continued to fall into place. He narrowed the house search down to three that would work with his budget. He was hired as the new VP of finance and started his training. In Philadelphia, Beth talked with her landlord and he was willing to let her out of her lease early in October and for half price, apparently feeling generous.

Flo and Molly pooled their funds and Elizabeth had her lawyer draw up a contract detailing the partnership.

The day before she was set to fly out to Michigan, she got a flu bug and was down for the count.

"I don't know, babe. I'm so nauseated and weak. I don't think I can fly out this weekend. Can we push it off a little? I have another weekend off in a couple weeks."

"I'm so sorry. Why don't I fly out to see you? I can take care of you."

"Luke, I don't want you to get this. Its awful."

"I have a pretty strong immune system. I'll take a chance. Plus, its been forever, hon. I would really love to see you."

"If you're sure then okay. I'd love to see you too."

"I'm sure."

Within 6 hours, Lucas was at Elizabeth's apartment. He had lucked out and gotten a flight out and then took an uber to the grocery store, paid the guy extra to wait and then showed up at her door with soup and saltines and extra juice.

"Hey," she mumbled, letting him in. He put the grocery bag down and hugged her gently.

"How are you feeling? I brought you soup."

"I'm doing okay at this moment. I'm not sure soup would stay down right now."

"I'll put it in the fridge for later then." She looked down at her sweats and back up to him. "You took my sweats?" he asked, a smirk on his face.

"Guilty. They smell like you. Well, not right at this moment. In fact, I think I'll take a shower and change. Make yourself at home."

He chuckled and set his bag down by the couch, to wait. She came out about twenty minutes later and immediately laid down on the couch, her head on a pillow on his lap.

"I'm so tired. I'm surprised I was able to stand up long enough to shower."

"Oh, hon. I'm sorry you're sick. I brought some juice. Do you want to try to sip it? Or I have saltines."

"Maybe saltines," she said quietly.

As she nibbled, she kept her eyes shut, falling asleep after consuming one full cracker. He continued running his fingers through her hair as it dried.

"I love you, Beth," he whispered. "In sickness or in health. I'll always take care of you."

"For better or worse?" she whispered back, her lips forming into a smile.

"Yes. Always."

"I'm glad you're here, Luke."

"Me too. There's no place else I'd rather be."