It's the night before the first day of school. Jack and 5 year old Hunter sat at the dining table of Jack's parents home. They were all enjoying a steady stream of conversation as they finished up their Sunday dinner.

"Wonderful as always, dear," Thomas Thornton said patting his now full belly.

"I agree with Dad. I don't think I could eat another bite," Jack added.

"Is that so? Cause I have a special dessert for us tonight!" Charlotte Thornton said to her family.

"Special? What is it?" Hunter asked, rising up slightly in his seat.

"How does chocolate back to school cupcakes sound?"

"Awesome! I'll take 2!" the young boy said causing laughter to erupt around the table.

"2?" Jack teasingly questioned. "I don't know about that, Hunter. You've got a big day tomorrow."

"But it's cupcakes! Chocolate cupcakes! My favorite!"

"How about you have one for now, and we can bring one home for after school tomorrow?"

"Okay fine," Hunter conceded.

"Alright then. I'll go get them now," Charlotte laughed as she began clearing the dishes.

"I'll help you, Mom." Jack stood and helped his mom carry the dinner dishes into the kitchen.

Charlotte placed the dishes into the sink for soaking and looked over at Jack, her face full of pride. "It's amazing what you've done with that little one in there, son."

Jack smiled. "He's a good kid. Just needed someone in his corner."

"True. I know Brenna would be proud of you."

Jack stared at her, feeling the familiar pains of grief in his heart.

Brenna Leveaux-Thornton was Jack's best friend and college sweetheart. They met freshman year but stayed just friends till their senior year. They loved each other and it seemed like the next logical step in their relationship. It wasn't a love like you would see in a Hallmark movie, but they were happy.

The winter after their first wedding anniversary, however, the Thornton's love story took a tragic turn.

Brenna was on her way home from a late shift at the hospital on an icy night in February. A semi truck on the road just ahead of her slid on the ice covered road and overturned. It happened so fast, there was nothing she could do.

Jack was lost. His wife and best friend was gone. It was as if his life had stopped too. He took a leave of absence from his job as a high school history teacher and spent most of his days just sitting in the fixer upper house they'd purchased that fall.

It wasn't until he found Brenna's old scrapbook that he felt he had purpose again. Inside she had clippings of her dreams for their home, including details for the room she'd envisioned would be for the foster children they hoped to take in together, both wanting to make a difference in the lives of others.

After pouring his heart into completing some of the work needed on the house, Jack filled out the application with DCF to be a single foster parent. He started out with respite care for a few months, taking in Hunter not long after. His hope was that in doing this he'd be able to move forward with their dream and feel closer to her again.

"Jack?" Charlotte called out to gain her son's attention. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said anything."

"It's okay, Mom. It's not like I don't think of her. It's been 3 years, and sometimes it feels like yesterday."

He rubbed his temples as he sighed.

"Come on, I bet Dad and Hunter are really wanting dessert now."

After dessert, they all retired into the living room to watch a baseball game until it was time to go. Jack was so thankful for the support he had from his parents. It made being a foster dad possible. Thomas, a retired cop and Charlotte, a retired elementary teacher, understood the need for good solid homes for kids like Hunter. Both were happy to help in anyway they could.

"Alright bud, it's time to head home," Jack said messing with Hunter's wavy dark hair as he sat curled up next to him on the couch.

"5 more minutes?" he asked with his best puppy dog eyes.

"No can do. It's a school night! Someone's got his first day of kindergarten tomorrow."

"Okay, 3 more minutes?"

"Nope."

"2?"

"Not happening."

"1?"

"Okay, no more negotiating. Time to go," Jack grinned as he lifted Hunter up over his shoulder.

"Oh come on!" the boy groaned.

"Say goodnight, Hunter."

"Night night," he waved to Jack's parents, still being carried on Jack's shoulder.

"Goodnight, sweet boy, have a great day tomorrow!" Charlotte kissed his cheek and Jack's as well. Thomas nodded in agreement and patted Jack on the back.

Within a half hour they pulled into the drive of Jack's modest Philadelphia suburb home. Each home on North Street sat tightly together with a small but usable sized back yard. Just enough for Jack and Hunter to shoot soccer balls in.

"Do I have to go to bed?" Hunter asked as he took off his little black converse shoes and Batman hoodie, handing it to Jack to hang on the hook.

"Yeah, we stayed at Grammie Charlotte and Pop Tom's place a little longer than I had planned tonight."

"But I'm not even… tired," he yawned.

Jack let out a small laugh. "You aren't very convincing about that, bud."

"Okay," Hunter rubbed his eyes. "Can we read 3 books tonight?"

"Definitely!'

With that the little boy ran down the hall and up the stairs to get ready for bed. Jack smiled. Hunter brought pure joy into his life. It wasn't the same as when he had Brenna with him, but he was grateful for the blessing just the same.

When Hunter first came to stay with Jack, everything, including bedtime was a battle. Having never had real structure or routine before, Hunter felt the need to fight Jack at every turn.

Now was a different story, though. After almost 2 years with Jack, he was well adjusted and knew what was expected of him. Simply put, he was thriving.

Jack went up to help Hunter and found he was already in his PJs and was waiting in the bathroom for Jack to help him with his teeth.

"Can we read the Avengers book again?"

"Which one?" Jack asked as he rinsed out the toothbrush.

"Uh, the one with the blue cover."

"I don't know… that's a long one," Jack teased.

"But it's my favorite one ever and tomorrow is special and I really want to read it, pleeease?"

Jack tried his best to hold back his amusement. "Oh, why not?"

"Yay! I'll go grab it."

Hunter had Jack wrapped around his little finger when it came to books. So after not 3, but 5 books, Jack tucked him in snugly under his dark blue comforter.

"You okay, bud?" Jack asked noticing Hunter looking up pensively at the glow-in-the-dark stars placed on his ceiling.

"Yeah."

"Hmm, I know your "okay" face and I don't think that's it. What's up?"

"I'm scared."

"About…"

"Tomorrow. It's a big school."

"It is, but everything will be okay. Your teacher's an old friend of mine and remember when we went to check out the classroom?"

"There were forest animals painted on the walls."

"Right, wasn't that neat?"

"I guess," he groaned.

Jack sat on the bed and pulled Hunter close. "You don't like change, I know. Trust me pal, this will be good."

"Okay…"

Minutes later Jack kissed the boy's forehead and tucked him back in, leaving the now sleeping boy in his room.

He walked into his own bedroom and crashed hard on the large bed. It had been a good but long day. They'd tried to soak up every last bit of summer they could. Swimming at the beach, biking, and even shooting off rockets at the park. It had been a great day, but exhausting. Only thing that would have made it better would have been a partner to share it with.

…..

Elizabeth fed Snowball, her cat, turned off the lights, and crawled into bed.

Her room was a cool 70 degrees, her fan running in the window for white noise. The room was perfectly dark and she didn't hear any sirens coming in her open window. Those things should have made it possible to sleep, but they didn't. More often than not, she laid awake until early morning. Insomnia was her best friend ever since that night, 18 months before.

She had been waiting for Trevor, her fiancé, to arrive for dinner but he was late. He was never late. They both worked for Philadelphia PD. Both of them officers in the precinct, Trevor up for a promotion within the next month. She had loved him deeply. He was a kind, considerate, sweet man who made her heart beat faster just by thinking of him. His eyes were ice blue, his hair, blacker than black. His lips, soft and tender. He was wonderful and she would have married him.

The officers that came to her door, Lee Coulter, Trevor's partner, and Henry Gowan, their Captain, were her friends. When they insisted she sit and then removed their hats, she knew. They didn't need to form the words. Lee held her hand, tears rolling down his face. He missed him too.

So here she lay, just like any other night, waiting for blessed sleep to overtake her mind, her hand holding the engagement ring on the chain around her neck that would forever remind her of what wasn't meant to be.

She got up the next morning at 5:05 like always. She fixed herself a protein smoothie, grabbed her perfectly pressed uniform, and headed to the precinct to work out, arriving at precisely 5:30. She worked out for 30 minutes, showered, and was dressed and at her desk in time to see what her assignment was at 6:15.

"Officer Coulter, patrol, south end," Captain Gowan started. "Officer Redman, patrol, north end. Officer Thatcher, traffic patrol on Main. School begins today folks. We need to make sure those kids are safe."

"Yes sir!" they said in unison.

Captain Gowan continued to hand assignments and at precisely 7:15, Elizabeth placed her hat on her head, just above her tightly wrapped bun, and walked to her patrol car.

Before she got there, Lee stopped her. "Hey, Thatcher! Wait up."

"Lee, I really need to get to it."

"We have time." He touched her arm, not in a way that suggested anything except that he cared. "How are you?"

She met his eyes after a moment, trying to push away the emotion that wanted to escape. She knew what he wanted to know and she didn't want to bring up Trevor. "Fine, you?"

"I'm good. Missing my friend."

"I miss him too," she admitted, her hand finding its way up to where her ring lay, under her shirt.

"I meant you, Beth. We haven't talked in a long time."

"We see each other every day, Lee."

"We are cordial everyday. We don't talk. We used to talk all the time."

"Lee, we don't have time to get into this now." Her eyes filled with tears, as much as she tried to fight it.

"We need to make time. Beth, you and I both lost him. I can't pretend to know how badly it hurt you, but he was my partner and my best friend. I was there when it happened." He sighed, as if debating whether to continue. "I've been seeing a therapist and I was wondering if you would go with me."

"No thank you. I hope it helps you, though."

"It can help both of us."

"As I said, I'm fine. I need to go, Lee. I don't want to be late."

She took her job seriously. Lee teased her about how serious she was, that she never went out or spent time with friends. They had invited her to have drinks when they were off duty plenty of times, but since losing Trevor, she just kept to herself. It was easier not to feel.

Her one constant friend through everything, Abigail, had supported her since Trevor's death. She listened without judgement and held her hand or cried with her. But she always represented strength to Elizabeth, since her first husband had died, as well, and she truly understood the pain she felt.

As she pulled up to her spot past the elementary school, she flipped on her radar gun, and waited. As she waited, she felt the urge to speak with Abigail. It had been over a week since she had visited her. She owned a diner, "Abby's Eatery" and Elizabeth tried to eat there a few nights a week but somehow, time had gotten away from her. She told herself that she would make time after work. She needed an Abigail fix.

…..

Jack pulled into the parking lot of the elementary school just as the first buses began to arrive.

"You ready, Hunter?"

"If I say no, can we go home and watch TV?"

"Hunter…" Jack said in a warning tone. "It will be okay. And even if it isn't, I'm taking you out for pizza tonight."

"At Rocky's?"

"Is there any better?"

"No." Hunter looked out the window of all the kids running into the school. "Okay… let's go."

Jack stepped out of the hatchback and grabbed Hunter from the back. He handed him the new LL Bean backpack and matching lunch box from the back and helped Hunter put it on.

"Thank you for my new backpack, Jack. I like the dinosaurs on it and my name too."

"You're very welcome buddy." Jack smiled, thankful he spent the extra bucks to have Hunter's name embroidered on the front.

They walked hand in hand down the busy, wall decorated hallway until they found the room with the right teacher's name on it.

"Mr. Hickam," Jack said with a smirk as he walked into his old friend and Hunter's teacher's classroom.

"Mr. Thornton, and Hunter, good to see you guys!" Mike Hickam knelt down at the young boy's level.

Hunter stared at him, not saying a word.

"How about I give you guys a minute? You can go sit in our reading corner if you want."

Jack sighed, he had to get to his own class, but right now this little guy needed him. Hunter was a tough kid and he'd gone through a lot in his young life, but under his sometimes rough exterior was a sensitive and shy kid, who just wanted to know that everything would be okay.

They walked over to where Mike had set up a number of pillows and beanbag chairs next to a couple bookshelves. Jack sat down on one of the big bean bags and pulled Hunter down on his lap.

"What's up, man? We've met Mr. Hickam before remember?" He nodded. "Did you like him?" He nodded again. "So what gives?"

He looked around the room, watching all the kids run around before looking back at Jack. "You'll come back for me, right?"

Jack's heart broke. Before Hunter came to stay with Jack, his mother had a habit of taking Hunter places and forgetting to come back. Even though he felt safe with Jack, whenever the routine would change he'd get that old uneasy feeling again.

"Buddy, this will be just like last year at pre-k. You'll do your thing here and when we're both done I'll be back to get you from the after school program."

"You won't forget?"

"Never!"

They ran through the plan a couple more times until Jack felt Hunter was finally comfortable and walked him over to hang up his bag and lunch box. As they did, a couple of Hunter's preschool friends from the year before walked in. All three boys were excited to be together again.

"Alright pal, we ready?" Jack asked as he hugged the boy.

"Yup, I think so."

"Great! Now remember what we talked about, okay? Play nice, look people in the eyes, and remember that you are a smart, awesome kid."

They high-fived and Jack left, both looking back once as he walked out.

Jack walked out the school's main door and glanced at his watch and groaned. He was running very late. He pulled out of the elementary school parking lot and headed south on Main. He was in such a hurry, he had no idea just how fast he was going.

Elizabeth sat in her patrol car watching as each car went by. Nothing at all exciting until a forest green hatchback whizzed by.

"Here we go," she muttered, flipping on her lights.

Jack looked up in his rear-view window seeing the flashing red and blue police lights behind him.

"You have got to be kidding me," he groaned, pulling over at the next safe stop. He turned off the engine, rolled down the window, and watched as an average height, slender woman stepped out of the patrol car behind him.

"License and registration, sir."

Jack stared at the woman with the most beautiful blue eyes he had ever seen, losing his thoughts and mind entirely.

"Sir? License and registration."

"Right… right." He grabbed his information and handed it to her.

"Are you aware you were speeding in a school zone?"

"No. I mean yes. Well, not exactly," Jack sputtered. "Dang, she doesn't look like any cop I've ever seen…" he thought.

"Jack Thornton," she read his name off his license. "So, care to explain?"

"Yes. I was dropping my foster son off at Fairview Elementary and he was nervous so I was running late. See, I'm a high school teacher and..." She looked at him as if annoyed, a look he found strangely adorable. He grinned at her, his deep set dimples flaring as he summed it up quickly. "So yes, I knew I was in a school zone but no, I didn't realize I was speeding."

"I see. Well Mr. Thornton, sit tight while I run your license okay?"

"Of course yes, whatever you need."

Once she was back at her car, he rested his head on the steering wheel, muttering to himself. "What is it with you Thornton? It's just a woman. A very serious, gorgeous looking woman who…"

"Mr. Thornton?"

Jack jumped at the sound of her voice, accidentally hitting the car horn in the process. "Yes?"

Elizabeth blinked rapidly at him, something about this man getting to her in a weird, new way. She cleared her throat and continued. "Here's your information. It appears you don't have any priors so I'm going to let you go this time with a warning. But please, do us all here in the city of Philadelphia a favor and mind the speed signs? Especially near the schools."

"I will Officer… Thatcher," he said reading the name off her tag.

"Alright then. Have a good day." Elizabeth turned to go back to her car and drove off.

Jack shook his head at the interaction and headed off to the high school. It had been years since Jack noticed a woman. So what was it about Officer Thatcher? "Her eyes for one," he thought. "And I can't say I've ever seen those uniforms look that good on anyone else before."

He laughed at himself, pushing the thoughts away and switching his focus to the day ahead.

…..

Jack parked his car in the elementary school parking lot, completely exhausted. His previously pressed button down shirt was slightly wrinkled and untucked. His navy blue tie hung loosely around his neck and his cowlick sat completely untamed. After being pulled over early that morning, he made it to his classroom with only a few minutes to spare from the first bell, making him feel like he was playing catch up all day.

He walked into the school gym, scanning the room for Hunter. Jack let out a soft laugh when he saw him across the room playing basketball with a few kids and Mike Hickam.

"Jack!" Hunter yelled with the biggest grin and ran to Jack's open arms.

"Hey, buddy! How was your day?"

"Not scary at all! Mikey and Josh are in my class, we played a lot." Hunter paused to catch his breath before continuing. "The new kids were nice too."

"Glad to hear it!" Jack looked up as Mike approached. "What about this guy? Mr. Hickam any good?" he teased.

"Yeah, he's really funny. He even played basketball with us!"

"That's awesome!"

"Yeah. He said I'm good, better than you even."

"He said what?" Jack laughed, remember all the games of three on three he, Mike, and their friend Jesse played in college.

Mike grinned. "Yeah, I had to ask who taught him how to shoot like that. Certainly wasn't you."

"Hardy har har, Mike. We all knew who the real ball player was."

"Yeah, Jesse." They both laughed. "Hunter, why don't you grab your bag from the corner over there and you and Jack can head out. I think I remember you were saying you were having pizza for dinner?"

"Yeah at Rocky's! Be right back!" he said running off as fast as his legs could carry him.

They both watched Hunter from the other side of the gym.

"Hey Mike, how'd he do today?"

"Better than you by the look of you," Mike said gesturing up and down Jack, who laughed.

"Yeah, started it all by getting pulled over after I left here."

"You're kidding?"

"Nope."

"That's rough."

"It wasn't… the worst experience," Jack thought back on the beautiful cop that had pulled him over. He had no interest in pursuing anyone, but something about her had stuck with him. Jack pushed the thoughts away and refocused on Hunter.

"But really, how was he?"

"Great! A little hesitant at first but he warmed up quickly. He's a great kid Jack."

"That he is," Jack beamed.

"Any word on what the future might hold in regards to him?"

"Nothing yet. I'm trying not to get my hopes up right now."

"I hear ya."

"It's hard though. I mean, his mom's missed the last two scheduled visits and never calls when she's suppose to. He deserves better than that."

"I hope it works out for you two, man. You deserve it too."

"Thanks."

"Ready!" Hunter exclaimed running up.

They said goodbye to Mike and headed off to dinner.

…..

Elizabeth left her hat in her patrol car and walked into Abby's, very tired and in need of a chat.

"Officer Thatcher! Well, it's been a while, ma'am," Abigail teased as she walked up to Elizabeth.

"I know, I'm sorry."

"Hey, what's wrong?"

"I just thought maybe we could talk?"

Abigail nodded. "Go have a seat. I'll join you as soon as I tell Dottie that I'm taking a break."

Elizabeth walked over to the back booth where she normally sat, grateful the diner wasn't very busy. Abigail brought them both a cup of coffee and sat across from her. "Ok, Elizabeth, don't take this the wrong way, but you look terrible."

"Gee, thanks."

"Still not sleeping?"

"I sleep."

"Four hours a night doesn't count." Elizabeth sipped her coffee and sighed. "Hey, maybe you should see someone, Elizabeth."

"I'm not interested in dating anyone and I really don't see how that could possibly help me."

"Not a date." Abigail patted her hand. "A therapist."

"Not you, too. I'm fine. I don't need to see a therapist."

"Someone else suggested it?"

"Lee did. He wants me to go with him to his." Abigail didn't speak and Elizabeth knew what she was thinking by the look on her face. "It's a bad idea. I don't want to talk to a complete stranger about my sleeping habits or the loss of my fiancé. It's no one else's business."

"Elizabeth, I'm your friend. I only want to see you happy and frankly, dear, you aren't."

"Maybe not, but I'm getting by. It's only been 18 months. I need more time."

"For what? What are you waiting for?"

"I'm waiting for it to stop feeling wrong to smile. I walk into that house every night and have that same crushing memory that I'm never going to see him again. He never came that night, Abigail. He pulled someone over and they shot him, for no reason. When that stops being what I think about every single night, maybe I'll move forward. Until then, this is what you get." She stood up and straightened her shoulders, determined not to cry in public. It wouldn't do to have a police officer cry in the middle of dinner hour. "Thanks for the coffee."

Abigail stood and touched her hand. "Hey, I'm worried about you. You say it's only been 18 months, but I say, it's been 18 months. It's time to do something about the way you're feeling. It isn't good for you not to sleep. Pretty soon, it will affect your job and that won't be good for anyone." Elizabeth looked up when the door opened. A look of intrigue passed over her face and then disappeared just as quickly. "Did you see someone you knew?"

"No, I thought so, but it wasn't." Abigail looked at the man who walked in, tall, dark hair, thin build, handsome.

"He's pretty handsome."

"I guess." He wasn't nearly as handsome as the man she had pulled over that morning.

"Who did you think he was?"

"Just a man I pulled over this morning." Elizabeth felt an unwanted blush creeping up her neck to her cheeks.

"Ooohh. Cute huh?"

"Doesn't matter. I'm not looking to start seeing anyone now and I'm sure I'll never see him again anyway."

"You know his name so you could arrange to see him again."

"No, thank you."

"Elizabeth, take a seat. I'm guessing you haven't eaten dinner, so I'm going to get you my meatloaf and mashed potatoes."

"I'm not hungry. I need to get home." Despite her words, home was the last place she wanted to go.

"Sit." Elizabeth knew it was useless to fight her friend at this point, so she sat. As she waited, she stared out the window, trying to force her mind not to think of Trevor. Instead, she watched the rain that had just started falling as it hit the pavement and the windshield of her car. Trevor loved the rain. He would stand out in it, getting soaked, his mouth open toward the sky, just because.

"Elizabeth?" Abigail said gently, putting her plate down in front of her.

"Yeah?" She wiped a tear and looked at her food. It smelled good.

"You ok?"

"Of course." She picked up her fork and pushed it into her potatoes. She didn't feel like eating it.

"Eat, please."

"Can I take it to go?"

"So you can go home and feel sad and not eat? I don't think so. I'm not letting you leave until you've eaten half of what's on this plate." Elizabeth took a small bite of potatoes and then laid down her fork.

"Abigail? What if I never feel better?" So much for no crying in public. Now her tears fell in earnest, splashing onto her hand and the table.

"You will, and forgive me for saying so, but I think deep down you don't want to feel better because it would mean letting go of him, at least a bit."

Elizabeth loved Abigail because she was blunt, she told you what she thought, but in a loving way. That's what she needed. In this case, she knew that Abigail was right. Letting go of Trevor hurt almost as bad as losing him in the first place. It meant admitting that he was never coming back to hold her hand or tell her he loved her or to stand in the rain.

…..

A bit later, Elizabeth unlocked her door, immediately flipping the light switch next to the door as she entered.

"Meow, meow," Snowball greeted, rubbing against her legs and purring loudly.

"Hey, Snowy, hungry girl?" With a few more frantic meows, the little black cat with green eyes sat by her dish, waiting as her person gave her a hand full of food. "There you go." Elizabeth patted her head and then went to change out of her uniform.

She pulled on her Philly PD t-shirt and paired it with her black yoga pants and fuzzy socks. She wandered into the kitchen, suddenly feeling like mint chocolate chip ice cream.

She put two scoops into a mug, added a few chocolate chips, poured a tiny bit of milk over it and added a cherry. "Yum," she whispered as she shuffled over to the couch to settle in. She picked up her remote and turned on Netflix, flipping through her queue of endless old movies. "Casablanca sounds good tonight," she told Snowy who had joined her on the couch to bathe.

As she watched her beloved characters on the TV screen, her mind wandered a bit. Trevor used to sit next to her and watch the black and white movies, pretending to enjoy them, his arm around her, happy to provide a shoulder to cry on or to protect her from the bad guys. She didn't need protection, she was a cop for goodness sake, but she liked that he thought she needed it.

Her eyes wandered up to the picture on the shelf above the TV. It was from the night he had proposed. He had taken her to dinner and during dessert, he had knelt next to her with the ring in his hand. Of course she had accepted and then the waitress offered to take their picture. Their faces showed pure happiness and love as she kissed his cheek and flashed her ring at the camera.

A tear squeezed out of her eye and made its way down her cheek. Snowy, sensing her distress, meowed and pushed her head into Elizabeth's hand, purring. "I'm sick of this, Snowy. I don't want to feel like this anymore but I don't know what to do."

She didn't want to do therapy. She had Abigail, after all. She thought back to her conversation with her and a thought came to her. She would sell the house. Start new, somewhere without so many memories. "We're gonna move, Snow. What do you think?" Snowball meowed and curled up on her lap. Elizabeth took that as a positive sign and felt herself getting just a tiny bit happier.