"I'm not the dad," he said with a sigh of relief.
She was relieved too, but it made her wonder why Janette lied. She obviously slept with someone on the trip Lucas took her on. If it wasn't the bartender….
"I don't get why she would lie," she admitted, standing up.
"I don't know either but I will find out."
"Anyway, at least we don't have to worry anymore. You, me and Boo are what matters."
"I found a place for our honeymoon weekend," he mentioned as they made dinner.
"Nice. Do I get details?"
"Nope."
"Is it at least on the water?"
"Yes it is."
"Great!" She kissed his cheek and stirred the meat and veggies in the pan. "This smells so good. Boo is hungry."
He really couldn't wait to meet Boo and get to know his or her personality. He couldn't wait to see who he or she looked like. Curly or straight hair? Dimples? Freckles? Beth's blue eyes or his hazel ones?
"What?" she whispered, noticing him staring at her with a far away look in his eyes.
"I can't wait to meet Boo."
"Me either."
……
As the next few weeks went by, the wedding plans were nailed down and Boo's presence was getting more obvious. Elizabeth tackled a baby shower for Rosie, now that they knew the twins were a boy and a girl. It felt good to get back into party planning mode.
"I've missed this," Elizabeth said as she was hanging streamers. Well, Lee was, Elizabeth was holding the ladder so Boo would be safe.
"Hanging streamers?" he teased.
"Yes and planning parties. Especially for friends."
"Babe, I found a house!" Lucas texted. "Open house Saturday at noon."
"Luke found a house," she told Lee.
"I wonder if its the one that is on Main in Dexter?"
"Not sure but we are going to check it out on Saturday."
"That's exciting."
"Beth?" Rosie said, walking into the room.
"Right here, Rosie."
"Did you by chance get pickles for the party? Babies want pickles."
"No, but I can arrange that, no problem."
"Maybe deviled eggs? And coleslaw!"
Elizabeth laughed at her friend. So far, Boo hadn't caused cravings.
"Pickles, deviled eggs and coleslaw," she typed into her app. "Anything else?"
"Grape soda." Elizabeth typed.
"Hola, tia!" Julian yelled, running up to Elizabeth.
"Hola, Julian! Como esta?"
"Good!"
"Lee, did you get that double chocolate brownie ice cream?" Rosie asked.
"In the freezer, sweetheart," he said, climbing down and moving the ladder.
"I bet that would taste awesome with pickles."
"Babe, can you please get pickles, coleslaw and grape soda?" she texted Lucas.
"Uh…sure? Dill or sweet?"
"Rosie, dill or sweet?"
"Yes."
"Both, she says," Elizabeth said with a laughing emoji. She added a pickle emoji and a bowl of ice cream. "Thanks, babe."
"Anything for you, hon."
Lucas wandered around the grocery store later and got all the things on his list, including two packages of diapers. The husbands were also having a "shower" of sorts for Lee and all were bringing diapers so they would have a stockpile.
He also picked up a bouquet of flowers for Elizabeth. He loved showing her his feelings in various ways. She loved flowers and in his mind, she deserved all the good things.
"Love u," he texted her. "C U soon."
People started showing up for the shower, including Rosie's dad, Lee's mom and some coworkers. Beth was there, obviously, and what shocked her was Vi.
"Vi, Charles? What are you doing here?" she squealed.
"Just passing through."
"You live in Arizona! You were not just passing through."
"Beth!" another familiar voice said.
"Julie?! Oh my gosh! You guys don't even know Rosie. What's going on?"
"Auntie Beth!" Julie's girls yelled, running over to her.
Lucas walked in, carrying Julie's youngest in his car carrier in one arm and alot of bags in his other arm. "Babe, let me help."
Elizabeth put her hands on her hips and grinned at Lucas. "Lucas? What did you do?"
"Rosie insisted that this be a double baby shower, well triple if you include the guy's diaper thingy…so I asked your sisters to come."
The only thing that would make it better would be….She looked over and gasped, seeing her parents, Lucas' mom, step-dad and step-sister too.
"Oh my goodness."
Lucas left Beth with her family and headed outside where Lee and a few of the other guys were firing up the barbecue and the firepit.
"Hey, bro," Lee said, clapping him on the shoulder. "Good goin. Beth is so happy right now."
"I'm glad. She's been missing her family so I thought I'd help her see them."
"No sub groups, boys," Rosie called out the sliding door. "This is a co-ed baby shower now. Come on in."
"Sweetheart, we need to get the grill fired up."
"Nonsense, Lee. We have snacks here. We can barbecue later."
Lee sighed and started toward the door. "Come on guys. Let's go to a baby shower."
Lucas' eyes went immediately to find Beth who was sitting in the living room with her sisters, chatting and giggling, her hand resting on Boo much like Vi's hand was on her baby bump.
"Lots of babies coming up," William said, handing Lucas a beer.
"Yeah. Congratulations on being a grandfather again."
"Thanks. Any prospects for a larger home yet?"
"Yes, actually. Beth and I are going to see it this weekend. Hopefully it will be perfect."
"And your job? How's that going?"
"Well, its been rough. Trying to gain the respect of people that don't know me very well yet…its a challenge.
"You'll get there."
He didn't agree or disagree. Lucas didn't feel like spilling the beans that he was actively looking for a new position. He didn't want William to think he was unstable for his daughter and grandchild.
"Any advice?" he blurted.
"Have you tried having a frank conversation with them? Asking what's working and what's not working? I've found that honesty goes far when trying to build trust."
"That's a good point, William. Thank you. I will try that."
"But when going into that conversation, bribery doesn't hurt. Perhaps some pastries and coffee could break the ice."
"Noted."
"Time to open presents!" Rosie announced, clapping her hands.
"Mommy? I help?" Julian asked, grinning up at her.
"Of course, babe. Let's go open them."
Rosie insisted Lucas sit next to Elizabeth and Lee sit next to Rosie so that they could help and be a part of the action.
"Rosie, I don't need to be a part of the action."
"Um, excuse me. You did this," she said, gesturing to her large belly. "You are already a part of the action. Sit."
Lee did as he was told and everyone laughed.
Lucas was shocked at the amount of presents for both women, well and babies.
"Its so cute!" Beth said, opening a very soft yellow blanket. "It will be perfect for chilly Michigan nights. Thanks, Vi!"
"You're welcome. There's more in the bag."
"There is?"
"Oh wow! Thank you." She pulled out about a dozen white onesies, Lucas thought they were called. Then next, yellow socks so tiny they would probably only fit his big toe. Then below that was an envelope.
"Tickets to Arizona?" Elizabeth asked.
"Because I don't want Boo to not know Auntie Vi or his or her cousin."
Elizabeth got up and hugged her big sister and kissed her cheek. "I want to know your baby too, Vi. I can't wait."
Rosie was next up for gifts. Diapers and diapers and more diapers were stacked up behind Lee but the large package she saw in front of her looked enormous. What could possibly be in it?
The card said from Elizabeth and Lucas. "Beth?"
"Open it," she told her best friend.
"A…oh wow. A double stroller?"
"Triple actually. There's a spot that Julian can ride too. You can put both twins carseats in there and Julian and there's a spot for your diaper bag too."
Rosie got up, not quite as fast as Beth had and hugged her hard and long. "You are the best, Beth Thatcher. I am so blessed to call you my friend." Rosie sniffled and Elizabeth's eyes filled with tears.
"I'm the blessed one."
Elizabeth's gift from her parents was a photo album, warm sleepers for Boo and a smaller box. "Dad? What did you do?"
"Its in the driveway. Now before you overreact, I asked Lucas first so I wouldn't be stepping on toes."
She looked out the window and gasped. "An SUV?"
"Its a Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid. room for eight, all the bells and whistles."
"Dad, thats…its wonderful. Thank you!"
"You're not mad?"
"No. My car has seen better days. Now I can sell it to pay for the nursery."
The rest of Rosie and Beth's presents were opened, burgers and veggies were barbecued and now everyone was seated around the firepit in the backyard.
Elizabeth was snuggled into Lucas' arms as they shared a chaise and a blanket.
"Remind me to thank you later," she whispered as she kissed his jaw and moved closer.
"What do you have in mind? Is it purple and lacy?" he whispered back.
"Perhaps," she teased. "You'll have to wait and see."
He slipped his fingers under the back hem of her t-shirt, making her shiver. He was grateful that the blanket hid his wandering fingers.
He loved to touch the soft skin of her back…
"Babe? Behave," she whispered again, squirming a bit.
"You started it."
Andrea watched the couples around the fire, feeling jealous and lonely. Lucas and Elizabeth snuggling and sneaking kisses, completely unaware that Lucas' wandering hand was visible.
Then Charles and Vi, every bit the newlyweds, whispering to themselves, laughing quietly, Vi on his lap.
Lee, Rosie and Julian snuggled as a cute family, which tugged at her heart. She wanted it. All of it.
"Nathan, my man! Better late than never," Lee said, greeting the tall handsome man carrying a toddler girl.
"Yeah, sorry. As hard as I try, being on time escapes me."
Lee got up and shook his hand. "Some of you know Nathan Grant. For those who don't, Nathan and his daughter Frankie just moved to town from Chicago. We went to high school together."
Lucas, Charles and William all got up to greet him. Andrea tried not to stare but she felt there was a story there.
"Nathan, this is Andrea Connelly."
She stood and shook his hand and waved at Frankie. "Hi, sweetie. You're so cute."
Frankie buried her cherubic face in Nathan's shoulder. "She's shy. Thank you for being kind."
"Its nice to meet you, Nathan."
"You too."
"Did you want some food? I'd be happy to get you something," Andrea offered.
"I'm…um, why don't we come too? To get food."
"Sure. I'll show you where."
Lucas watched his sister walking away with Nathan and Frankie.
"What's his story, Lee?"
"His wife died after she gave birth to Frankie. Bled out before they could save her."
"Good Lord. That's terrible. I'm not sure how I'd survive let alone raise a newborn on my own."
"Its not a common thing. It happens, sure, but she had a bleeding disorder they didn't know about."
"He's a good guy?"
"One of the best."
Lucas nodded. He trusted Lee. He just hoped Andrea didn't get hurt in the process of getting to know the man and his daughter.
"Should we get going?" Elizabeth asked, slipping her fingers into his.
"Yeah. Let's go."