I have added another chapter because everyone enjoyed it so much! Hope this gets everyone excited about the holiday season!
Shoutout to the awesome Lisa for helping me proof and telling me to write another part!
This may or not be the end :)
Enjoy!
"Elizabeth, the dog is judging me."
Elizabeth came out of the bedroom to see the little Beagle on the bed staring at Jack.
"He's just curious."
Jack looked at her with a seriousness that caused her to laugh as she went back into the bathroom to finish putting her makeup on.
Jack got up and went to the dresser, pulling out some dark blue jeans and a grey sweater while the dog got comfy on the bed, still eyeing Jack.
"You don't know how good you have it Maverick."
The dog made a noise and Jack laughed as Elizabeth emerged in a cranberry blouse and a sparkly skirt, giving him a smirk.
"I feel like you are up to something."
She kissed his cheek and was surprised when he pulled her in, kissing her hard on the mouth, as they both tasted the mint toothpaste.
Breathless and wanting more, she reluctantly pulled away and went to put on her earrings as she playfully scolded him. "Jack, you messed up my lipstick."
He reached for his own lips and wiped it off. "Sorry not sorry."
They both finished their morning routine and the second Elizabeth left the room, the dog followed. Jack sighed and muttered under his breath that the dog had it better than him.
The dog ate and she prepared a bowl of cereal for Jack. "Honey, do you want a new pot of coffee?"
He put on his boots and fixed the bed, making sure she didn't forget anything because she had a habit of forgetting her fitness tracker or her favorite bracelet her mother gave her.
But never the necklace he gave her two years before. She wore that all the time.
"No, I'm ok. I've gotta get to the station and plan the Christmas party."
She smiled as she got out the juice. It was the second year they were doing the party and she was so proud of him. They had raised over $15,000 last year for families in need.
He emerged to see the white lights of the tree still on.
"Elizabeth, I tell you every night to turn off the tree before you come to bed."
She shrugged as she poured the last cup of coffee while the dog was at her feet.
"I like it on."
He went over and turned it off, admiring it for a moment. It was artificial because she insisted on putting it up so early. A real tree wouldn't make it long enough.
"Well the electric bill doesn't."
She sipped her coffee while looking at him. She always enjoyed looking at him. Especially the back side. And the front side. Really, it was all fantastic. He had gained muscle in the last two years and she was more than happy to let him know how much she enjoyed his fitness routine. He said it was for the force but she hoped it was really for her.
He smiled as he turned knowing how much she enjoyed watching him. And he could never complain about his own view. She was nothing short of stunning, even when she decided to cut her hair just a little shorter. It made it easy for him to brush it back when he kissed her.
Both in a bit of a trance, she looked at her wrist, finding it empty. "Crap, I…"
He came over and pulled out her fitness tracker from his back pocket. "Forget something?"
She was nothing but smiles as he handed it to her. "Love you."
He shook his head and went to the fridge to grab the milk. "Uh-huh. Love you too."
The dog barked and he looked down. "Yeah, you too."
Elizabeth went to get her coat and her bag as he dove into his cereal.
"See you at Abigail's after school?"
He nodded as she went over to kiss the top of his head while he ate and looked down at his phone.
"Have a good meeting."
It was like clockwork that he would always have a mouthful of cereal as she went out the door and tried to talk.
She laughed and reached down to pet the dog. "You be good to Jack. He'll be taking you for a walk."
And yes, he would walk the dog because she loved the dog, so he loved him too.
"Bye honey."
The door closed and the boys were alone.
Jack looked down at Maverick and chuckled. "Me and you buddy, me and you."
Elizabeth arrived at school happy.
She was more than happy to start the holiday season with her second graders. There would be elements on winter, family traditions and even the math unit would have a holiday theme. But her favorite would be the snowflakes the kids would make.
They did their morning announcements and Elizabeth had picked her teacher's assistant for the day from the hat. The students were on their best behavior as they sailed through three math pages and free reading was filled with quiet and conversation that was as productive as it was entertaining.
It was during her lunch break when she got a text from her father.
"Dearest Elizabeth, I do hope you join us for Christmas in Lake Tahoe."
She didn't want to. She had already spent Thanksgiving in California. And it was so hot. She thought Jack was going to melt and he was being sweet but she knew he missed the feeling of winter.
"Thanks dad, I have to see if Jack can take the time off."
Jack meanwhile was at the station working with the committee to make the event even better than last year. Of course he was working with many opinions and a few ladies who would rather stare at him than actually work.
"Ok so we have some food truck vendors this year that I think will be great…"
And then one younger woman had to chime in. "Well I think we need to have a candy bar and maybe a fully catered lunch."
The woman was batting her eyes at him so hard he was pretty sure she wasn't even seeing anything. And then her voice. So shrill. He had no idea how these women even made it through the Academy.
"Um, that's a nice idea…"
He was interrupted again. He really wished Elizabeth would be here and unleash her scary teacher face on these very rude people.
Elizabeth was so busy making snowflakes and coloring that she didn't realize it was time to get them ready for the end of the day.
"Oh children! I'm so sorry, I lost track of time. We will to pick this up again tomorrow. Put all your crayons and markers in your boxes and put them in your desk. Please put your snowflakes that you have completed in the "Complete" bin and the ones you need to finish in the "To Do" bin. I hope you remembered your names."
She watched as the kids scrambled to write their names and it made her smile. Of course most of them would forget.
"Miss Thatcher I made this one for you."
A young girl named Cassidy came over, covered in blue marker.
"Oh thank you! It's beautiful. I will put this one on my fridge at home ok?"
Her fridge was covered in artwork.
The young girl smiled as the students went to the bins to put the snowflakes where they needed to be.
They all grabbed their coats and backpacks from their cubbies and stood in line, waiting to go out. Elizabeth always checked for mittens, hats and other items left behind. There were always a few.
She tucked Arthur's water bottle in his bag and Nancy's folder in hers. The bell rang and the students trickled out as she grabbed her coat, always wanting to see them off just in case a child was left behind by accident.
"Wonderful day today Miss Thatcher."
The voice was none other than Charles as she smiled, going over to him, watching the kids interact with each other.
"It is. Feeling a bit like the season."
"Yes, but you know how much I detest the cold."
He was a good man and had mostly learned to back off when he realized she was with Jack. It didn't mean he didn't try to be a little intrusive when he thought he could get away with it.
"So any plans for Christmas, Elizabeth?"
A young student interrupted him. Perfect timing.
"Miss Thatcher, my mom wants to talk to you."
She took the little girl's hand and was led away.
After a few conversations with parents, which were nothing but smiles, she went back into her classroom and texted Jack.
"On my way to Abigail's in just a bit."
His phone beeped and he looked down. He smiled as he sat at the bar, beer in hand. He really was planning to do the hot chocolate but the aftermath of the meeting called for something a little stronger.
Abigail came over and gave him his cranberry turkey sandwich. "Elizabeth on her way?"
He nodded as he took a bite. "Thank goodness. I need some sanity."
The woman laughed and reached behind the bar, grabbing a glass of water for herself.
"Meeting went that bad?"
He wasn't one for negativity but he was a bit disappointed. "I don't know. Too many cooks in the kitchen I think."
Abigail laughed and nodded. "Don't I know it."
They shared a smile and Abigail was called away. He looked down at his phone and scrolled through a site he had bookmarked. There in front of him was his future and he was so ready.
Just then he got another text.
"Does Maverick need to be taken out?"
That dog. That lovely dog. The dog that was nothing but joy and happiness to her.
He texted back quickly.
"Nope. Took him out just before I got here."
And then a smiley face.
Yup, he was more than happy.
She got into the car, smelling of crayons, jelly and children. She put her hair up because the curls were failing her from the full school day and she wanted it off her face. She inhaled deeply in the cool air, feeling more in the spirit than ever.
When she arrived at Abigail's she found Jack sitting at the bar watching ESPN.
He wasn't paying attention so she decided to have some fun as she came up behind him putting her cold hands on his cheeks causing him to jump. "Hey sweets."
The cold hit him first and then her cold lips on his cheek second. "Whoa!"
She came up beside him and he smiled wide, wrapping his arm around her waist, pulling her in. "You little sneak."
She shed her coat putting it on the back of a chair and slid into the seat. "Too easy."
He had to say when it came to her, everything was easy and it made him know for sure that she was more than his forever. She was his always.
"So what did you get?"
He still had half as he slid the plate over. "Turkey."
Jack was always a good sharer. "Awesome. And thanks."
They exchanged a smile as he told her about his meeting and she told him of the great day she had.
She rubbed his arm as he told her that it didn't go so well.
He smiled wide as she told him how well the kids behaved and about their afternoon snowflakes.
"Sounds like a perfect day."
She drank her hot cider and nodded, finishing the sandwich. "Almost. A night with you and Maverick would make it perfect."
He hoped for many more as he ordered a hot cider for himself. "Well we can do that tonight. I got my schedule and looks like I'm normal till Christmas."
That was good. She almost didn't want to bring up Lake Tahoe but decided it was now or never. "My father asked me if we would go to Lake Tahoe for Christmas."
He looked down and sighed, hopefully not so loud that she could hear it as he ran his hand through his hair trying to keep the peace.
"You know I would…"
She could tell he didn't want to so she interrupted him. "I don't want to go."
That shocked him as he looked at her. "Wait. You don't?"
She shook her head as she grabbed a fry and put into her mouth making him wish he was the fry. She saw how he was watching her and she herself now wished they were home because she was feeling a little happy and had some pent up energy to burn.
She turned to him and took his hand that was on his leg looking at him in the eye. "We did Thanksgiving with family. I just want to be with you. Like that Christmas two years ago when I told you I loved you."
He loved that. He loved her. And just being with her with no one else sounded magical.
"Ok. You can tell him I'm working."
She leaned in and nodded just a little bit, getting really close, just inches from his lips where people could see but no one would stare. Her voice at a whisper.
"Let's go have the perfect day."
He didn't have to be told twice as he smiled against her lips, kissing her just a little and then pulling back, but never leaving her eyes.
"Ok."
He paid the bill and both of them couldn't get home fast enough.
She entered first, struggling with the key because a thrill was running through her and she couldn't gain her bearings. Luckily for her, he got caught at a traffic light so she was able to shed her coat, her bag and her clothes all before he got home.
He found her in their bed, already stripped and it didn't take long for him to join her. The smell of peppermint, vanilla and spice lofted in the air as the sun had already set, a small yellow light illuminated them as they found the perfect ending in each other's arms.
She awoke to find him still asleep and the dog on top of the bed, curled up at her feet.
The yellow light was still on as she moved out of the bed, grabbing a silk robe from the back of the door, a gift from him last Christmas, tying it up and going to the kitchen to grab a glass of water.
The room was dark as she went over to the tree to turn it on, sparkling in the room. She smiled as she looked at it, the ornaments both young and old. There was a few from her students, a few from Jack's childhood and a few from her own. She found the one that they bought together last Christmas, a beautiful angel they had found in a small shop when they vacationed in the mountains.
He reached over and felt the bed empty but something warm by his feet. He looked down to see the dog sprawled out and dead to the world. He chuckled and got out of bed, seeing it was almost midnight. He pulled on some sweatpants that were draped over a chair and went into the living room to find her silhouetted against the tree.
He just watched her for a moment. The shimmering light coming off her porcelain skin. He looked down to her hand to imagine another beautiful light coming off it.
She turned when she felt someone behind her. She smiled and then turned back to the tree, looking down at a few more ornaments, remembering the stories behind them.
He went to her, wrapping his arms around her waist, pulling her in, feeling the silk under his fingers with the knowledge there was nothing under it but her. He was already feeling himself get away again and he knew that for the rest of his life, he would never tire of the way she felt all over him.
She sighed happily into him, putting her hands on top of his as he rocked her gently from side to side, feeling his strong muscles keeping her in and keeping her tightly to him. His safety, his protection and his pure love for her was everything that she could ever need. And want. Her desire for him would never wane because he always took her breath away.
"I hope I didn't wake you."
He put his head on her shoulder and looked at the tree. "I thought I might find you here."
She smiled as she felt his fingers, wondering what it would be like to feel a silver ring on it. Or gold. "You know my happy place."
They were both quite deep in thought as they enjoyed the silence of the cold night, warm in each other's arms.
She got two glasses of water and they went back to the bed to find Maverick still asleep. Gently he got into the bed first and she followed, as she slipped out of her robe. He kept his sweatpants on as she laid her head on his chest, pulling the sheet up to cover them both.
"Night Jack."
He smiled and kissed the top of her head. "Night Elizabeth."
She reached to turn off the light and the room got dark, but both of them could see the light from the tree in the living room.
He didn't mind it being on.
The next few days they both were busy with school and work. The dog was taken out in the morning by Jack and let out by Elizabeth in the afternoon. She yelled at Maverick when he chewed on her shoe and Jack told the dog to go away when he spilled an open container of milk all over.
But the time they both had off together, they took him for long walks while holding hands, smiling and laughing at the way his ears flapped in the wind. The first snow fell two weeks before Christmas and they got into a snowball fight while Maverick just wanted to eat the snow.
Dinner at Abigail's was the norm while Jack helped her put up more Christmas decorations. Elizabeth made a batch of her grandmother's peppermint cheesecake that most thought wouldn't be very good, but ended up being a huge hit.
The days leading up to the Christmas party were nothing but stressful for Jack. He was moody but she knew how to handle it and they usually made up in bed, which only delayed him more. But she didn't mind and he seemed quite happy with the solution.
The morning of the big event, they both arrived early to help set up. Food trucks lined the street while Santa arrived and got ready. Presents were wrapped and activities were set up. Christmas music was playing over the loudspeaker in the firehouse and the police station that was attached.
Everyone was dressed festively. Even the pets.
"Elizabeth am I really putting this on him?"
She giggled as he was struggling to put it on. "It's cute. And kids love it when you dress them up. Oh wait!" she dug through her bag.
The dog made some grunting noises and Jack agreed. "Don't blame me. But we love her so let's do this ok?"
Maverick stopped moving and Jack was able to get the sweater on while Elizabeth came back with something in hand and Jack put his hands up waving them at her.
"No! I draw the line with that."
She squatted down and made a pout face. "Grinch. He will love it!"
Jack groaned and watched as she tried to put the antlers on the Beagle but he was having none of it and started to move away while she chased him. "Hey! Maverick, here boy!"
After five minutes of running around, she stood and put up her hands. "Fine, fine. The sweater is enough."
He took note of her tight skinny jeans, ivory cashmere sweater and her signature necklace. And those curls. And that winter-kissed skin. He had to take a breath as he walked to grab her coat and Maverick's leash.
She got into her coat and watched him put the leash on Maverick. She took note of his red button down, dark jeans that were rolled up, and his lace up boots that were dressy and yet worn in. And the stubble and the messy hair. She had to take a breath.
The kids came in one by one, as they were greeted by firemen and policemen and many others. They found their seats for the crafts they wanted to do while parents were outside buying food and getting free hot chocolate.
Elizabeth brought out the cookies Abigail provided, while Jack was clad in a Santa hat and giving directions. All the while they looked over at each other smiling and winking as often as possible.
Abigail joined them halfway through, bringing more cookies and some pastries.
The kids all rushed to grab them while Elizabeth helped run the ornament making station.
"Hey Abigail."
They shared a hug while Elizabeth painted a schoolhouse on an ornament.
"Look at this turnout!"
There was a long line for Santa and it seemed more adults were coming in with food and lots of smiles.
"Isn't it great?"
Abigail nodded. "I can't believe Jack did all this. Well, and you too. But this is so wonderful. Do you need any help?"
Elizabeth looked around. "Looks like we've got it all handled. Go and have some eggnog. This woman named Patrice made it. It's so good!"
Abigail looked at her funny. "Better than mine?"
Elizabeth suddenly felt bad but Abigail laughed. "Oh you are such a dear. I'm going to try it right now and then get the recipe."
Jack watched everyone having a good time, finding the crowd filled with love and compliments. He had already received cards from a few parents and a few phone numbers without asking. That was uncomfortable, but he was so happy people were enjoying themselves. But no one more than Elizabeth.
She really looked like an angel as she spent time with each kid. She got down to their level, asked questions and brought over Maverick so they could pet him. Maverick was being good and allowing all types of people to give him love. But it was really her because she made all the difference.
His heart could not have been more filled.
When the last child left, two hours after it was scheduled to end, he was exhausted and she could barely stand. Her back hurt and her legs were sore. But as the group came together, cheering that the money raised was over their goal, they all hugged each other. When he found her, finally being able to touch her for the first time since the morning, he kissed her and wrapped his arms tightly around her, whispering in her ear, "thank you. You are my angel."
She smiled as she felt his hard body grow soft against her. His heart was so big and she wanted nothing more than for him to ask her for forever.
The committee spent the next hour cleaning up and drinking eggnog. Abigail had invited everyone for drinks and food, so the whole party was going to move there. As the President of the event, Jack was the last to leave, making sure everything was in order and clean.
Elizabeth took Maverick from a committee member and patted the dog, scratching his ears and smiling at him. "You got a lot of love today. You were such a good boy."
She stood and pulled on the leash telling him to follow while Jack was finishing up. "Hey Jack, I'm going to take Maverick home and meet you at Abigail's. Can you find a ride?"
He looked up to see the two of them. They made quite the picture. He needed that one for the fridge.
"Sure, I'll see you there. Be safe."
He always said that when it got dark. She found his coat and pulled out his keys and something else.
There were cards… and phone numbers? One just had a number and another said, "My Hero."
She let out a giggle. So cliché.
She put them all back and then made her way to his car, as Maverick was lagging behind. "'Com'on boy! Let's go home."
The dog got into the car and she drove singing Nat King Cole to which the dog howled a few times.
She got home and turned on the tree, making sure Maverick had some food and water before she left again.
Jack made it to Abigail's to find the crowd happy and warm. They all patted his back and even did a toast to which he grew bright red. He took the free drink and found a spot in the corner, in a booth to which more free food was brought over with many hugs and congratulations.
Elizabeth found it quite cheerful when she entered, finding him in the corner, talking to a committee member who was standing to the side. She slipped into the booth across from him and grabbed a soft pretzel, popping it into her mouth.
He noticed her and smiled while he was still talking. This woman could talk. And talk and talk. Elizabeth gathered that fact quickly as she made funny faces and stuck out her tongue to distract him, the woman completely unaware of Elizabeth's presence right behind her.
"Thank you Mrs. Evans, I appreciate all your kind words."
Somehow the woman wasn't getting the hint, so Elizabeth in all her playfulness, slid her hand down under the table and put it right on the inside of his thigh, just close enough for him to know what she was thinking.
When he felt her hand, he knew she meant business and the woman was blissfully unaware of what Elizabeth was doing, as were all the others around. She kept doing it and it was making him crazy as he could feel his body temperature rise and something else too.
She was both terrible and sneaky. When her hand emerged back up again she put another piece of pretzel in her mouth and gave him a wink.
"And yes, we should get together after the New Year."
He knew better than to look at Elizabeth. That would only give her what she wanted and he wanted it too but this lady was still talking and he had to end this.
"Thank you again Mrs. Evans. I'm going to enjoy my evening." He looked directly at Elizabeth then.
The woman finally followed his gaze and she saw Elizabeth, causing her to shriek a little. "Oh goodness I didn't see you there Elizabeth."
She smiled as wide as she could. "Sorry for the scare. I just dropped in."
Jack took a sip of his beer as he had to stifle a laugh.
The woman said her goodbyes and they were finally left by themselves. He was first to say something quiet across the table.
"That was a very devious thing you did."
She shrugged and grinned as she reached for his beer taking a long sip. "Christmas cheer Jack."
He couldn't even form words as he watched her swallow his beer. Another thing he didn't need to see. He was more than tired but he seemed to be finding a second wind.
"So, what do I get for being your partner in all of this?"
She was being cheeky. He liked that.
She felt a bit brazen all of a sudden. And full of want for him. She couldn't feel more tired and worn out but he always seemed to make her full of energy.
He cocked his head to the side and kept his hands in his lap, even though she was beckoning him from across the table, begging him to touch her. "The satisfaction of a job well done."
He took his beer and finished it, calling over the waitress with his eyes, not lifting a finger. Elizabeth saw his look and she found herself more and more warm.
She looked at him with a raised eyebrow knowing he was playing a game as he ordered two more beers and she ordered more pretzels.
When the waitress was gone, she looked at him. "I think you scored yourself another number. I'm impressed."
He went red and she chuckled.
So she saw the numbers? But she didn't look upset as he tried to find an explanation. "Elizabeth…I…."
She quickly cut him off. "I would probably do the same thing if you weren't mine already. I have a soft spot for men who have a kind heart and who work well with others."
He let out a sigh of relief as he ran his hand through his hair, shaking off the tiredness a bit. "I work best with you."
She felt her cheeks go red, reading into it a bit more just as he intended. She adjusted in the seat, already wanting to go home and celebrate.
He watched her get a bit uncomfortable and it made him smile even wider. He could play her game too.
The beers came quick and once again he didn't have to pay as the waitress said it was taken care of.
They clinked their glasses together and sipped quietly as they hashed over the highlights of the day. She showed him some pictures she took and he realized there were none of the two of them.
"Come here."
He scooted over and she squeezed in next to him, the booth barely big enough to fit them on one side. But she had a feeling he meant to do that.
He took her phone and put it in selfie mode. "Smile."
She looked terrible but leaned into him, the two of them looking very happy but whiplashed by the day.
He handed the phone back and kissed her cheek, whispering against her temple. "Ten more minutes and then let's get out of here."
His hand was on her knee and she felt herself stiffen and yet soften where she needed to be. He too felt his blood race through his skin, wanting to kiss her long and slow right then.
Ten minutes never felt so long as they snuggled close together in the booth, giggling and playfully hitting each other on the arm. Very private things were whispered back and forth as they took turns nuzzling their lips to the other's ear.
She ate her pretzels and he finished off her beer.
Just as someone was approaching them, she jumped out and reached for her coat and he did the same.
"Oh you guys leaving?"
Jack couldn't wait. Elizabeth couldn't wait.
"Yeah, we've had a very long day."
The man smiled and patted Jack's shoulder. "Of course. Have a great night you two and thanks again Jack."
Jack nodded and put his hand on the small of her back as she waved goodbye to everyone and they all yelled thanks to Jack.
It was cold when they got outside and it didn't take long for him to kiss her. He didn't want to wait any longer.
She was pretty sure he was buzzed as he kissed her with the passion that she couldn't get enough of and always escaped to.
His arms wrapped around her waist as he tasted the beer and the vanilla spice lotion she had put on that morning. She fit so perfectly into him while he found all the places that made her shake and quiver and yet let him in every time.
He slid into her car knowing he was too buzzed to drive and she slid into the drivers' side. He reached over and kissed her again, cupping her face with one hand.
There was nothing he couldn't do. He had heart. He had style. He had great moves. He had it all as she kissed him again, always deep and soulful.
When he broke the kiss, she touched her forehead to his, breathless and ready for him to slide his hand down and do more as she kept her eyes closed, the cold air in the car nothing to match the fire that was building between them.
He couldn't take it anymore. He needed a ring. He needed a story. He needed to tell her everything that made her perfect. He had it every day, with every moment he spent with her. This was their story.
His voice was low but sharp against her cheek. "I want you forever."
He had her. From the first hello on Main Street. To the first run in at Abigail's. From the school visits, to the dinners at his apartment. From the Sunday services where she would sing and he would join. To the song he played her for their first anniversary. From always giving her more than what she hoped for. To being the man that she had only dreamed of.
"I'm here Jack. Always."
He looked at her deep, pulling himself away from her, stroking her cheek with his thumb because she was so perfect even when she wasn't at her best. Because she was beautiful when she didn't think so. When she wanted to give up on a student but instead found a way. Her gifts were endless. Her soul was covered in hope and a belief that goodness can always come from darkness.
Just being there with him.
Just breathing.
She could feel his desire and his hope. She could feel the strength on the outside of him, but also to his inmost being. She knew how to read him well and she knew he was compassionate and beautiful in everything he did. He always knew what she needed even when she hadn't quite figured it out yet. He knew how to hold back and when to let go. He was her partner in living.
Just being there with her.
Just breathing.
The ring was in his desk at work.
And he wasn't going to wait.