William joined his family out in the sitting room. He saw Jack sitting there, his right hand placed on Elizabeth's knee. He had to take a deep breath and remind himself that Jack was her husband now, and although it bothered him, there was nothing wrong with that particular sign of affection.

Elizabeth soon looked towards the door and rose immediately to greet him.

"Father, it's so good to see you!"

"You too, Beth." He embraced her, holding her tight as if she may disappear. Despite his actions, he loved his daughters very much. "Look at you. It appears married life agrees with you."

"It does, very much. I wish you and Mother could have been there to celebrate with us, but we wanted to be married in Hope Valley and with the holidays and all..."

"Think nothing of it. Even with the modernization of the trains, travel to the west is still a feat at times. We're pleased to have you with us now."

"Perhaps you'd allow us to throw you a reception? Your Aunt Agatha will be here for the New Year. We were planning a party for that occasion, I don't see why we couldn't celebrate your marriage as well. Would you agree, darling?" Grace suggested, turning to William.

"I don't see why not."

Elizabeth looked to Jack who simply nodded. "That sounds wonderful, Mother, but please, nothing too extravagant for our benefit please?"

"There's a certain amount of "extravagance", as you put it, that's expected for things such as this." William countered. "You do remember that?"

Elizabeth let out an involuntary sigh, "I do understand that Father. All I ask is that you remember that when it comes to the part meant for us."

"It's for all of us, Beth. I think it's best if we figure out a way to work together."

Jack squeezed her hand, sensing the rising tension within her. "I'm sure whatever you plan will be lovely, Mrs. Thatcher, and greatly appreciated."

"Yes." Elizabeth squeezed her husband's hand. "I'm sorry, I didn't intend to offend."

William shook his head, "I'm sorry too, Beth. Forgive me. It may take me time to adjust to your new life. I know you've been teaching in Hope Valley for some time now but with us hardly seeing you… I'll do my best."

"I couldn't ask for more, Father. Thank you."

God must have known they needed a break. The butler walked in and announced that dinner would be ready in half an hour.

"Beth, dear, why don't you give Jack a tour of the house while we wait? I feel as though I may have forgotten my manors during his past visits here." Grace politely spoke, trying to gloss over the fact that she didn't particularly care for Jack or bother with him before.

"That sounds like a wonderful idea Mother. Jack," she stood and offered her hand. He took it and she lead him out of the sitting room and out into the hall. She closed the door behind her before kissing him sweetly. When she pulled back, she noticed his posture was stiff. She pulled him further away from her parents and into the main foyer of the house.

"Well that went better than expected." Jack reached up, fussing with his tie.

"I think so. Quite promising actually. Now, for your tour…"

"I'm not sure this is necessary, Bella."

"Why's that?" she turned back to him confused.

He sighed as he brought her hand to his lips. "I just struggle picturing the Elizabeth I know, here. I guess it's hard at times to feel like I have any place here."

Elizabeth brushed her lips across Jacks, calming him. "We're a family now, Jack. Nothing, especially this world, can come between us now."

He knew she was right. This home had represented all that was different about them. Maybe it was time to have it represent something else.

As if reading his mind, she spoke again. "Oh, I've got a wonderful idea." She practically skipped off towards the stairs, making Jack laugh.

"And what, my dear, is that?" He flashed his dimpled grin at her, letting her know he was doing better.

"Wait here and I'll show you," she pointed to the bottom of the stairs and careful walked up them herself.

"Elizabeth, what game are you playing?" He couldn't help but smile. She appeared to be so proud of herself. It was adorable.

"Showing you just how much you were a part of my life even here." She grinned madly from the top. "Remember anything significant about this spot?" With her hands folded in front, she swayed her hips, waiting for his response.

"Yes," he stared at her. "You stood right there with your sisters the night I escorted you home. Though truthfully, I only really remember seeing you up there." She giggled. "You were so beautiful. Like an angel." He cleared his throat, "I believe Charles thought the same thing."

"What you don't know is what I thought when I was standing here." Her voice was slow, seductive even.

"True. Tell me." His tone matched hers as they stared into each others eyes.

"I loved that dress I wore. I bought it that day when I was out with my sisters. I tried it on and thought, "I wonder if Jack will like it."

"I did. Immensely."

"I hoped you would." She began walking down the stairs closer to her husband. "I must say, the look in your eyes when you saw me, did not disappoint."

"But I wasn't the first to reach you that night."

"Unfortunately no," she sighed. "When Charles stepped in front of you, I was so disappointed. I just wanted you." She now stood a mere two feet from him. "When you spoke to me, echoing his compliment, you took my breath away."

"Well, the feeling was very mutual." He reached out his hands to her as she took one more step closer. He pulled her into his arms, wanting to express his deep love for her in a simple kiss, taking her breath away once again.

"Ready for more?" she asked softly. He nodded. "Take my hand again." He did as she asked and let himself be led into a room off to the right of the stairs.

It was another well decorated room with large windows with a large, elegant, stone fireplace. "This is a sitting room."

"Weren't we just in a different room just like this a bit ago?" Jack teased.

"That was more of a sunroom, but yes. This is the one we'd come to for afternoon tea quite a bit. Now stand here," she placed her hands on his shoulders and guided him towards one of the large windows. Once in place, she slid her hands around his waist, holding him tightly.

"What am I looking at now?" he asked.

"After you left a few years ago, and I stayed behind to care for Mother, I stood at this window watching the birds flutter around. A robin built a nest in that tree there." She pointed to one of the tall maple trees just outside the window.

"That most have been nice to watch," he placed his hands over hers, loving their closeness.

"It was. You know what I thought about while watching her?"

"What?"

"You. I didn't quite understand the gravity of my feelings then, but I loved you. I missed you fiercely. I could hardly stand it."

He brought one of her hands to his lips.

"I thought of all the things we would be doing if I were back in Hope Valley. Rowboat rides on the pond, picnics, horseback riding lessons," she giggled. "I'd even dream of a future, with you."

Jack turned in her arms, raising a gentle hand to caress her cheek. "Elizabeth…" He kissed her, soft and sweet, willing himself not to get carried away in such a public room of the house.

"Now, come this way." She took his hand again, this time leading him up the stairs.

Once they were standing in front of a large wooden door, she stopped. To Jack's amusement, he glanced at her in time to see a bashful look on her face.

"What room is this?" Jack asked innocently.

"It's… my room."

"Oh, do I get to see it?" he chuckled.

"That was my thought yes, but now…"

"Now what?" He noticed the flushed color of her cheeks deepen and smiled. "Are you shying away from me, Bella?"

"Mhmm." Elizabeth bit her bottom lip as a laugh escaped. "I can't believe this, it's so silly."

Jack wrapped her up in his arms, "You do realize we've shared between us things much more intimate than a room?" He looked around seeing no one, bringing his lips to the soft skin of her neck.

She gripped his shoulders tightly, feeling her knees grow weak beneath her. "I… know… it's just…" She reached her hand behind her, opening the door. Not thinking about how they were now leaning against it. The action caused them both to stumble inside.

They both laughed as they tried hopelessly to regain their composure.

She closed the door as Jack walked around the room. He took note of the books lining the shelves and the large four poster bed in the center of the back wall.

"And here I thought we had a lot of books in our home in Hope Valley," he teased.

"I've always enjoyed being well read, what can I say?"

"True, you are a teacher."

"Yes, I am," she grinned.

"So, what happened in here that had to do with us?" he asked, pulling her close again. It was clear he was enjoying their game now.

"Well, I wrote to you at that desk there. I wrote in my journal about you, as well."

"I knew you wrote about me," he teased. "Any chance you'll do me the pleasure of allowing me to read some of those entries?"

"Jack Thornton!" She placed her hands on her hips, giving him her scary teacher face. "A journal is something private."

He stood there mimicking her stance, holding it as long as he could before a smile broke out across his handsome face.

"Fair enough. I don't intend to deny you your right to privacy now that we're married. Whatever you'd like to share, I'd love to hear, though."

She looked at his deep dimples and green eyes, feeling herself falling in love with him all over again. She took his hand and led him over to the bed. A bed that until now, had only been used by her and sometimes Julie.

It was a strange feeling, being alone with him there. It felt almost improper and scandalous. It was a wonderful reminder of how different life was now.

"This is so soft." Jack ran his hands over the bed as he snuggled up closer to her, "We should get one of these."

"Its a feather bed. See why I've mentioned them a time or two?"

"Or 35," he sassed, earning him a playful swat on the arm. "So, did you ever think about me while you were here?" He patted the mattress, wiggled his eyebrows at her. As he did, the deep pink color returned to her cheeks.

"A lady would never do such things." He gave her another playful look. "Well, a lady would never admit it at least," she giggled.

"But maybe a wife would to her husband…"

"I suppose I can admit that… I thought of us together, married, happily enjoying our life together a time or more here. Not quite in the way you were suggesting, but still." She stared down at his tie, adjusting it. "Thinking like that brought me peace when we were apart."

"I can understand that."

"Did you ever… think of us like that?"

He swallowed hard. "More than I should probably admit." He brushed a stray curl back behind her ear. "It pained me to leave you after I proposed. I felt like I had ripped my own heart out and left it behind. All those long nights away, knowing you were waiting for me… I did let myself think of you. It was respectful, I mean I…"

"Jack, its alright. We waited a long time to finally be together." She shifted nervously on the bed. "To be completely honest, I said I didn't think like that here. Up in what's now our room in our home in Hope Valley, my mind wandered far from what would have been considered proper."

He gently kissed her, letting her know it was okay.

"Just out of curiosity Jack, how does the reality of us being together compare to what you... well, thought of?" She was embarrassed by her question, but she wanted to know.

He smiled at her. "Nothing in the world compares to the reality of loving and being with you, my love."

Elizabeth smiled, loving his answer. "I would agree." She inched closer to him, pulling him in closer by his tie. "I love you, Jack."

"I love you too, Elizabeth."

After a few more minutes of showing their affections, Elizabeth jumped off the bed in a hurry.

"Dinner! We have to go or we'll be late." She rushed toward the door.

"Wait! You're right, but Elizabeth you can't go yet."

"Why not?" She turned around to face him.

"Um, your hair is well, lets just say it's lacking it's normal style." She turned around to check himself in the mirror.

"Oh my goodness!" Finding an old brush of hers in a drawer, she did her best to fix the mess on top of her head. "This better?"

"Much," he leaned in giving her a tender kiss on the cheek.

"Thank you, love. Now come here, it's your turn." She took out her handkerchief to wipe the lipstick off his face and neck.

"Oh, thank you. That could have led to some awkward moments with your father."

"Yes, however it would be an interesting conversation starter." They laughed as they headed back down for dinner.

Downstairs they joined the Thatchers in the foyer before walking into the smaller of the house's two dining rooms. The larger one being used mostly for holidays and guests.

"I hope you two don't mind eating in here. With it just being your father and I most nights, Beth, we've grown rather accustomed to the cozy space."

"It's perfect," she smiled. Jack pulled out her chair for her before taking his own seat.

Dinner went well. Elizabeth and her mother continued to catch up on the events of Hamilton. Grace left out any news regarding Charles and his family. William stayed quiet, but did engage in conversation with Jack as the night went on. Simple talk, mainly.

"So Jack, tell me about the work you're doing in Hamilton." William asked as he took a bite of roast.

"All talk really. Which is a pleasant change from the roughness of the north. Our goal is to come up with a plan to prevent violent outbreaks like this from happening again."

"Important work," William said, giving his son-in-law a nod.

"Yes, sir. We're also trying to come up with a strategic plan to rebuild the many communities that were torn apart by the gun runners."

"How bad is it?" Grace asked.

"To put it simply, there are towns where most of the buildings have been severely damaged or lost by fire. Many are without things like medical offices and schools."

"That's terrible."

"It is. Hopefully we can find a way to give them back at least some of what they lost."

William couldn't deny he was proud to know the man across from him. He just needed to accept that this man was also his son-in-law, and that Elizabeth's life was not going to be at all like he had imagined. Maybe in time, that would become easier.

As the night was drawing to a close, they stood back in the foyer getting ready to venture out into the December air.

William stood fidgeting with his hand in his pocket. "Jack, may I have my driver take you home? It's no trouble."

"That would be appreciated sir, thank you." Jack was fully content calling a cab, but hoped allowing William to help in some ways might aid the bridge he was trying to build between them.

Grace hugged her daughter and then Jack. "So good to see the two of you. I know you need time as a young couple, but may I make a suggestion?"

"Of course, Mother."

"Since you're only in town for a short while and it's uncertain when you'll be back, I would like to suggest we do dinner together a few nights a week here at the house. I've greatly missed you dear."

"I understand, Mother." Jack squeezed her shoulder, telling her he was okay with the proposed plan. "We'd enjoy that."

"Wonderful! And of course you'll be here for Christmas?"

"Staying here in fact, if that's, alright?" Jack added.

"More than alright, my dears." Grace was beyond thrilled.

William hugged Elizabeth and shook Jack's hand as the car was brought around. Soon they were on there way back to their new home.

"All in all, I would call that a success," Jack said taking off his jacket and hanging it on the elegant coat rack in their townhouse. "You alright? You were pretty quiet on the way home."

She nodded as she took off her own jacket. "Tired. It felt a bit strange, being home but being a visitor."

"Makes sense. This is probably the first time it really felt like that. Before would have been close, but now with us married. It's very different."

"It is. In a good way, though," she reassured.

"I have a thought," Jack grinned as he took her in his arms again. "It's been a long time since I had a good long bath. What about you?"

"I'd have to agree, and we did all that traveling recently."

"That's true." He moved his lips to her neck, one of his favorite places. "What do you say we start the rest of our night in that big tub up stairs."

"Then what?" She smiled, playing along.

"Let's just see where the night takes us. Sound good Mrs. Thornton?"

"Perfect."