Hi hearties, I hope you like this little one shot. A cute little idea I had full of fluff. Find out what happens when Jack lets Elizabeth try his shepherd's pie.
Special shoutout and BIG thank you to my one of my Heartie besties Lisa Lindsay (aka LisaNY) for proofing and editing. You're the best girl! I need all the help I can get.
Also I in case you were wondering I have changed my user name on FanFiction from Angel Streets to AngelMileah. So no one gets confused I'm still the same person. And on another note. My job keeps me on my toes and I am a very busy girl. When I get home I am tired and don't have a lot of energy. If you have written a FanFiction recently (I won't give shoutouts because there so many that I am afraid I'd leave some very deserving author out.) please know that if I don't review that I am reading and enjoying every word. It really is tiding me over until Season 4. And if I get slowed down enough I will do my best to get back to reviewing. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Without further ado, here's ... Shepherd's Pie
Shepherd's Pie
"Do you like puzzles?" Elizabeth asked Jack one sunny afternoon, as they were enjoying a picnic lunch by the lake. She began nibbling on one of Abigail's freshly baked biscuits.
"What kind of question is that?" Jack gave Elizabeth a quizzical glance.
"It's just a simple question Jack!" Elizabeth slapped his arm. "Just humor me, please?" She teasingly stuck her tongue between her teeth and batted her eyelashes.
"Well I like you," He reached for her hand and gently pulled her toward him. He placed a soft kiss on her lips, "and you're hard to figure out sometimes."
"Just like," She questioned, looking somewhat saddened.
"So you're okay with the fact that I said you're hard to figure out sometimes," Jack chuckled, "but not the fact that I said I like you."
"It's just that I thought you loved me." Elizabeth answered shyly. "That's what you told me in the mine anyway."
"They're both true." Jack replied. "I like you and I love you. I like how you have proved to me every day that you aren't the spoiled princess I thought you were when we first met; and through it all, I fell hopelessly and completely in love with you." He cupped her face with his hand, "And that won't ever change." He swept her lips with a kiss that was as light as a feather.
"Oh, Jack." Elizabeth's eyes clouded with tears threatening to spill over. "I love you too."
"I love you, Elizabeth Thatcher," Jack put his arm around her shoulder, allowing her to rest her head on his shoulder, "…now and forever." He gently kissed her forehead.
The afternoon turned to evening and nightfall was approaching. Jack and Elizabeth spent the remainder of the day at the lake, laughing and enjoying each other's company, while the early September weather was still mild enough for them to do so. They were lying on their picnic blanket gazing up at the sky full of a million stars in comfortable silence with their fingers intertwined together between them.
"Beautiful night, isn't it?" Jack stole a glance toward Elizabeth.
"Mmhmm." Elizabeth confirmed through a yawn.
"It's getting late." Jack suggested. "We should head back." He started to sit up.
"No!" Elizabeth countered. "I'm not ready to go back yet."
"Elizabeth, you can barely hold your eyes open." Jack expressed. "I think we should…"
"Zzzz." Sleep had claimed Elizabeth before Jack even finished his sentence.
"…head back." He continued with a chuckle.
He leaned over and placed a gentle kiss on her cheek. Maybe we can stay a few more minutes. He thought. I don't want to wake her up. She looks so peaceful. But I hate the idea of giving Florence Blakely something to gossip about. "The town constable and the schoolteacher out all night, what would people think?" He chuckled to himself. He placed his hands beneath his head and laid back on the blanket. His gaze returned to the stars. He smiled. He stole another glance toward Elizabeth who was still sleeping peacefully next to him. The more he thought about it, the more he liked the idea waking up to see her sleeping next to him, not just tonight when it wasn't even considered proper, but every night for the rest of their lives.
Elizabeth suddenly shivered, as if she were cold, though she didn't wake up. Jack rolled over, took her in his arms, and gently caressed her back. He felt her body shift in his embrace. "I love you, Elizabeth." He whispered and placed a soft kiss on her temple.
Jack started to feel relaxed while holding Elizabeth in his arms; without trying to, he himself had fallen asleep under their blanket of stars.
An hour later, Elizabeth woke up a little disoriented, not sure where she was. She looked around seeing she was at the lake. How did I get here? She wondered. She looked over to see Jack sleeping next to her. She suddenly remembered coming to the lake with Jack for a picnic. She reached over to wake him up. "Jack, wake up!" She exclaimed. "We need to get back or we'll get the town talking. Wake up!" She started to gently shake him.
Jack started to stir. He slowly opened his eyes.
"Jack did you hear me?" She asked, continuing to shake him.
"Yes, Elizabeth, you can stop shaking me now. I'm awake." He tried moving to an upright position.
"Sorry." She said regretfully. She removed her hands. "I just panicked. What will everyone think?"
Jack leaned forward and kissed her. "It's okay. There's no need to panic. You don't live at the café anymore so you're not keeping Abigail up, and it's still dark out. I'll get you back to the row house before anyone even notices we're gone."
"I'm sorry, Jack." Elizabeth stood to her feet. "We should have left when you suggested it. I never should have fallen asleep."
Jack followed suit. He reached for her and pulled her toward him. "It's okay." He whispered. "I fell asleep too." He gently stroked her hair.
"But you wouldn't have fallen asleep, had I not wanted stay a little longer." Elizabeth protested.
"I'm going to let you in a little secret." He gripped her shoulders and stared in her eyes, while the light of the moon illuminated her features. "I wanted to stay a little longer too." He placed a passionate kiss on her lips. "Don't worry. I won't tell if you don't." He winked. He then offered his hand. "Shall we?"
"Of course," She placed her hand in his.
They gathered up their basket and blanket from the picnic and made their way toward her row house.
"See?" He whispered when they arrived at her door. "Everyone is asleep. Nobody even saw us coming back into town."
"I guess I worried over nothing." She leaned back against the door.
"Yes you did, but I like seeing you squirm a little." He placed his hands on the door on either side of her head and leaned in to kiss her. "I'll see you tomorrow. I love you."
"I love you too." She reached in the pocket of her skirt and pulled out the key to unlock the door.
"Good night." He whispered before he pivoted around to leave.
"Good night, Jack." She closed the door, separating the two of them.
Jack slowly turned back to face the row house and listened for Elizabeth to lock the door behind her. When he heard the click of the door he headed for the jail to turn in for the night.
The next morning, Elizabeth woke up to the sound of someone knocking on her door. She rushed to get her bathrobe and headed downstairs to see who was at her door so early in the morning. She smiled when she saw the familiar shade of red. Jack was standing on the other side holding a basket.
"Jack!" Elizabeth exclaimed. "What are you doing here?" She eyed the basket, "And what smells so good?"
"I missed you." He smiled and flashed the dimples that always made Elizabeth go weak at the knees.
"I missed you too." She opened the door wider allowing him to enter. She leaned up and kissed his cheek as he walked passed her.
"And I brought breakfast from Abigail's." He placed the basket on the table.
Elizabeth rushed to the table, and removed the cloth covering revealing fresh biscuits with butter, an assortment of jams and jellies, and some blueberry scones. "This looks delicious! I'm starving!"
"I was hoping you would be." He pulled her close to him.
"I need to get dressed." She said, though she made no effort to release herself from his embrace. "I have to get ready for school."
"You have time." He reluctantly released her and sat down at the table and reached in the basket. "Have breakfast first." He pulled out a biscuit and placed it to her lips prompting her to take a bite.
"That's delicious." She mumbled, her mouth still full.
Suddenly Jack abruptly grabbed her and pulled her into his lap, causing her to scream. He gave her the most passionate kiss he had ever given her, his tongue exploring her mouth, "So are you." He replied suggestively. Her cheeks turned a deep crimson.
They finished their breakfast and Elizabeth rushed upstairs to change. Jack then walked her to school before leaving on patrol. Once they reached the steps of the church, Jack grabbed both or her hands and turned her to face him. "How would you like to have dinner with me tonight? 7:00… your place? I'll cook."
"Well if you're going to cook, how can I refuse?" She replied, with a smile.
"Okay, see you tonight." He placed a kiss on her lips.
"Ahem."
Jack and Elizabeth quickly pulled away to see Cody, Emily, and Opal staring back at them.
Jack cleared his throat and turned to leave, "Goodbye, Ms. Thatcher." He then bounded down the steps and walked past the children.
"Ooh," Emily and Cody sang as the headed into the church, while Opal hugged Brownie close to her chest and giggled.
After school, Elizabeth headed home, anxious to spend her evening with Jack and allow him to cook for her. Once home she quickly freshened up and found a couple of candles. Since Jack was doing the cooking, the least she could do was spruce the place up a bit. Before she knew it, Jack showed up at her house with a basket full of ingredients he'd purchased from the mercantile. He was being very discreet with its contents as if it were a file of a top-secret case.
"Jack, what are we having for dinner?" Elizabeth wondered. She tried peeking into the basket, but Jack wouldn't let her near it.
"It's a surprise." He reached for her hand and kissed it. "Why don't you go write in your journal about Mountie Theodore and relax while I cook dinner."
Elizabeth scrunched up her nose. "Well, Mountie Theodore is my one weakness." She brushed a kiss on his cheek and waited while Jack took over her kitchen and cooked dinner for her. She tried to write but she couldn't concentrate. Part of her was wondering how she was so lucky to have Jack Thornton in her life. A man who has proven time and again that he would do anything for her including cook her dinner. Another part of her was wondering why he was being so secretive with the dinner and couldn't wait to taste what he was cooking.
Finally, Jack called Elizabeth to the table. She arrived in the dining room, surprised to see that Jack had set the table, and even taken the time to light the candles she had set out. Jack pulled her chair out for her and waited for her to sit down. He then brought the food to the table and joined her. "Dinner is served."
"What are we having?" Elizabeth asked.
"Elizabeth Thatcher, I present to you my very own…" Jack removed the cover from the dish. "…shepherd's pie."
"Shepherd's pie?" Elizabeth's facial expression rapidly changed, as if she had completely lost her appetite.
Jack, sensing Elizabeth's concern, tried putting her mind at ease. "Elizabeth," he placed his hand on top of hers. "I know what you're thinking and you can relax. I didn't get the recipe for shepherd's pie from my mother. Trust me; there is no lard in this."
"That's a relief." Elizabeth chuckled.
Jack began dishing out the shepherd's pie onto the plates.
"It does look delicious." Elizabeth picked up her fork and began pushing the food around on her plate.
"Hope you like it," Jack took a bite. He noticed Elizabeth still had not taken a bite, "Is there something wrong?"
"I was just thinking." She answered, staring at her plate.
"What about?" He questioned.
"Do you remember when Hattie Ferguson first came to town?" She placed her fork on the table and returned her gaze to Jack.
"Yes," Jack smiled at Elizabeth with admiration. "You really helped that little girl." He placed his hand on top of hers.
"Well she's one of my students." Elizabeth replied. "All of those children are special to me. It broke my heart to learn about the death of her friend Janie."
"But you solved the puzzle that helped you understand what was going on with her." He brought her hand to his lips. "Your compassion for those children… and everyone really… is one of the reasons why I love you."
She smiled, "And the fact that I like puzzles is why you said I'd make a terrific mom one day."
"That and you make great shepherd's pie." Jack added.
"That too." Elizabeth giggled.
"Wait a minute." Jack said. "Is that why you asked me if I like puzzles? Are you trying to determine if I'd make a good dad?"
"I was just trying to figure out what to get you for your birthday." Elizabeth lied.
"You're getting me a puzzle?" Jack questioned, quite amused with the direction this conversation was going.
"I didn't say that." Elizabeth countered. "I'm still trying to figure it out."
"Well you have plenty of time." Jack chuckled. "My birthday is five months away."
Elizabeth blushed, "I was just wondering. I'm sorry Jack. I've seen you with the children around town. They love you and I know you love them just as much. I do think you'll make a wonderful dad."
"Well you can't be too sure," Jack advised, "…until you've tried my shepherd's pie. Now eat up before it gets cold."
Elizabeth picked up her fork and took a bite. A huge smile swept across her face.
"Well?" Jack asked. "What do you think?"
"Yep." Elizabeth said between bites. "It confirms it. You'll going to make a terrific dad one day."
Jack chuckled. "I'm glad you like it."
"Thank you for dinner, Jack." Elizabeth continued eating. "It truly is delicious."
"I guess that settles it." Jack said with a smile.
"What?" Elizabeth asked with slight hint of confusion in her voice.
"Since we're both going to be such great parents," Jack answered, matter-of-factly, "we'll have to have a baby one day."
"Well we'd have to get married first." Elizabeth suggested.
"That's true." Jack agreed.
"And it's usually customary for a couple to become engaged before they get married." Elizabeth continued.
"That's also true." Jack concurred.
"Well traditionally," Elizabeth added. "The man asks the woman to be his wife, and the woman accepts."
"I know that too." Jack replied. "But it is a good idea to have place to live before any of that happens, not some smelly jailhouse where a hardened criminal might temporarily take up residence."
"Jack," Elizabeth countered, "It's okay for the man to go ahead and ask, especially if he has purchased land on which to build a house." She gently touched his arm, "and if need be, they could live together in the row house she's renting until their house is completed… depending on how long they are planning on being engaged of course. I for one wouldn't want a long engagement. When you know he's the one, there's no reason to prolong it."
"Shouldn't the proposal be romantic?" Jack questioned.
"It would be a very nice gesture, but not necessary." Elizabeth stated. "If she loves him she won't care. She'll say yes no matter what, and when he proposes the moment will easily become romantic."
"So when do you think would be a good time to get married?" Jack asked.
"Well that's something for the couple to discuss once they're engaged, but he has to ask her first." Elizabeth hinted.
"When do you think would be a good time for him to ask?" Jack wondered.
"Well since the man is the one doing the asking," Elizabeth took his hand, intertwining they're fingers together, "I think it should be left up to him."
Jack nodded and smiled.
"But if he knows he loves her and wants to spend the rest of his life with her," Elizabeth continued, "He shouldn't keep her waiting."
"What if it were left up to you?" Jack queried.
"What?" Jack's recent question threw Elizabeth completely off guard.
"If it were left up to you, when would you like it to happen?" Jack repeated.
Elizabeth gazed in Jack's eyes and gave him a big smile. "Now works for me."
"Now?" Elizabeth's response startled Jack. He wasn't expecting that.
"Yes, now," Elizabeth confirmed, "just like our New Year's resolution... to take our time… but not too much."
"Okay," He stood from his seat, "you talked me into it."
Elizabeth squealed and covered her mouth with her hands, but was surprised when she acknowledged Jack walking toward the door instead. "Wait! Where where are you going?" She asked with confusion, afraid she'd pushed him away.
Jack slowly turned around. He approached her. "I'll be back." He leaned down to place a kiss on her cheek. "There's something I need from the jail."
"Like what?" She asked.
"Just something I need if I'm going to do this now." He answered casually.
"Okay. Hurry back." She answered with a grin.
He spun around and walked back toward the door.
"Jack, wait!" Elizabeth called to him before he completely closed the door behind him. She stood to her feet and ran toward him.
"What is it, Elizabeth?" He stepped back inside the door.
She approached him, "I love you with all my heart. I also want you to know, the answer will be yes." She said as she grabbed him by the collar and placed a kiss on the lips.
Well there you have it. Hope you liked it. Please let me know what you think.