**Apologies for the typos...I write on my phone mostly. On train rides, whilst walking, lunch breaks and spare moments here and there :) Enjoy chapter 7... not quite sure where we're headed from here. Thanks for coming along the journey...thank you for taking the time to review! Be blessed **
Jack watched his wife sleep. After putting Kenzie down for the evening they had spent the next few hours re-familiarising themselves to each other. Every touch, every freckle, every sound. They cried as they came together for the first time in fourteen months. She had clung desperately to him as he held her so tightly she could barely breathe.
"I love you," he murmured repeatedly in her ear as she sobbed against his chest. He proceeded to show her just how much he loved and missed her for the hours that followed. As she lay peacefully beside him, her head on his chest he traced his fingers along her face. She looked so peaceful. He knew such peace did not exist during their separation, for either of them.
Like clockwork she awoke before 2 in the morning knowing that Kenzie would be hungry. She looked over at Jack who was sleeping soundly beside her with his arms firmly around her. Not wanting to wake him she attempted to remove herself from his arms without waking him. Trying to ensure that she caught Kenzie before she wailed to be fed. It took several attempts but she managed to detangle from
his arms and legs without waking him by replacing herself with her pillow. She watched as he hugged the pillow closer to himself and smiled at the sight of him.
She picked up Kenzie from her bassinet beside their bed to nurse her in her room to not disturb Jack's sleep.
"Hey Snoozy, are you hungry?" Elizabeth whispered as she watched her daughter put her fist in her mouth,
"Mama's here with your milky so let's try not to wake Papa with crying." She said dropped a kiss on her daughters head as she unbuttoned the night gown she threw on before she picked up Kenzie.
She sat on the rocking chair as Kenzie began to feed. They rocked as Elizabeth sang softly to her enjoying their time together. Jack woke feeling Elizabeth's absence immediately rose looking for his wife and daughter who he noticed was no longer in her bassinet. He followed the soft sounds of his wife singing to his daughter. The sight of them filled his heart in a way it never had before.
"Are you going to stand there all night or would you like to get in on the action?" She asked sensing him without turning her head. Jack smiled and walked into the room. Jack had positioned himself on the rocking chair gently pulling Elizabeth and Kenzie to his lap. He wrapped his arms around them both wishing they could stay like that forever, Elizabeth tucked under his chin, Kenzie laying against them both secured by Elizabeth's arms.
After Kenzie had fallen asleep Elizabeth showed Jack how to change their daughter's nappy knowing he wanted to help but scared that he would do it wrong. Hand in hand they went back to their room leaving the door open to make sure they could hear Kenzie. Wordlessly they had both stripped out of their clothes before getting back beneath their blankets. Immediately Jack drew her into his arms determined to never let her go.
When Jack woke a little later Elizabeth was already downstairs baking. Kenzie was fed and changed playing with blocks on her mat. Crawling was not yet a problem and she Elizabeth kept a close eye on her from where she was kneading dough.
"You're up so early. It smells amazing in here."
Elizabeth smiled and kissed him good morning.
"It's no longer early. This is the normal these days. Especially when someone needs a feed every three hours. This is also for the cafe. I help out with the baked goods. Gives Abigail a couple of hours. Frank picks it up in the morning to bring it to the cafe."
"That fresh batch of biscuits over there are for you. I can make you bacon and eggs if you'd like?"
"No I'm good. Can I help?" He asked grabbing a hot biscuit and taking a bite. He moaned as he tasted it making Elizabeth chuckle.
"I'm okay but thank you for the offering. I'm almost done." Jack picked up Kenzie from her mat and hugged her close,
"Hi Princess, did you have a good sleep?" Kenzie babbled in response. Elizabeth watched as father and daughter engaged in a very deep discussions. It would be easy to think he had never left and that he was always there.
By the time Frank arrived Jack was laying on the floor with Kenzie climbing all over him whilst Elizabeth cleaned up.
"Well that's certainly a sight to see." Jack looked up to see Frank by the door and stood to his feet throwing a giggling little girl playfully over his shoulder.
"Hey Frank," he greeted as he and Frank exchanged a quick hug.
"Good to have you back."
"It's good to be back. Thank you for looking after my girls."
"It's a pleasure. You would have done exactly the same for any of us. The little one is no trouble, that big one though, she's a handful." Elizabeth rolled her eyes,
"You're hilarious," She replied greeting him with a kiss on the cheek hello.
Jack could see how close Elizabeth had gotten to Frank. In her letters she had told him many stories of things he did to ensure her well being and he was grateful.
"There's bread, a couple of pies and cookies." She said handing him a crate of goodies,
"You know you should really consider sleep sometime,"
"Yes because that's conducive to the feeding schedule of a new born. I may as well be productive." Jack could tell that this was a familiar conversation between them and made a mental note.
"Abigail wants to invite you guys for lunch after church tomorrow but she said she'd also understand if you want to hide out for a little longer," Elizabeth looked to Jack to make that decision.
"We'll be there. It will be good to see everyone."
"I'll leave you guys to it. I'll see you tomorrow."
After Frank left, Elizabeth had cooked them pancakes for breakfast. Jack set the table and played with Kenzie whilst trying to catch up on all that he missed in his absence.
"So Rosie named her baby after you?" He asked surprised but incredibly proud. Elizabeth nodded,
"I'm sure being there at the birth won it for me," she answered with a smile.
"To be fair, she's been incredible. We've become really close. She's very protective of Kenzie and I. After I gave birth I don't think she left this house for a week. She and Abigail..." Elizabeth stopped talking, knowing it would only make him feel worse about not being around. Jack gave her a reassuring smile,
"I want to hear it. It's hard to know I wasn't here but I'm grateful that you were surrounded by love,"
"I felt you with me," she promised placing a hand over his. Jack took her hand and gently pulled her to his lap as she wrapped her arms around his neck and ran her fingers through his hair.
"I love you. I need you to hear that. I need you to know that it was really hard not having you here all those months you were gone but I never once regretted loving you. I need you to know if I were to do it again I would because you, you are everything. You, Kenzie and our family, are everything to me." She cradled his head against her chest, she wiped his tears with her thumb as she told him again and again just how much she loved him.
Together they cleaned up after breakfast, when they were done they had taken a bath together as Kenzie slept peacefully after being fed.
After Kenzie woke they gave her a bath and spent the rest of the day in the living room floor playing with their daughter. Elizabeth read out loud while Jack lay his head on her lap as Kenzie slept on his chest. With one hand holding her book and the other aimlessly twirled his hair between her fingers.
It wasn't surprising that at one stage both father and daughter were fast asleep before her. Her heart took a picture. It was a moment she had always imagined and dreamt of whilst they were separated. She was grateful that God had fulfilled and it was better than what she ever imagined. With both of them fast asleep before her she was glad that she was leaning against the couch comfortably as she realised she wouldn't be moving any time soon.
It occurred her that it was the first time she's stopped still long enough. Normally she would be multi tasking. If Kenzie was asleep she would take that opportunity to do chores. Work on her stories and myriad of other things. Having him home stilled her. At that moment, there wasn't anything else she would rather be doing.
"JACK!" Rosemary shrieked as they stepped out of their home the following day. Elizabeth smiled amused as their friend rushed over to their porch flinging her arms around her husband. Once upon a time this would have bothered her, but she just shook her head chuckling as she exchanged a look with Lee.
"Hi Rosie! It's good to see you," in that moment Rosie took the opportunity to smack his arm really hard,
"Oww Rosie," he protested as Elizabeth gasped in shock.
"That's what you get for being gone so long." She retorted unapologetically.
"Excuse my wife, good to have you home buddy." Lee said stepping in to give Jack a hug hello.
"It's good to be home. Now who's this precious one?" He asked after the little bundle that Lee had passed to Rosemary before hugging Jack.
"This is Mary Beth Coulter, Mary Beth, this is your Uncle Jack."
"Hi there little one. I hear you and my little princess are great friends,"
"That they are, I can't wait to see the mischief they're going to get up to when they're bigger," Lee replied.
The Thornton's and Coulter's walked to church together. Everyone who saw Jack flung their arms around him happy to have him home.
All but one.
Cody stood beside Abigail as they stood before Jack and Elizabeth.
"Hey buddy, it's good to see you. I've missed you. Do I get a hug?" Cody looked at Elizabeth and then Abigail and walked away without a word. Abigail watched the back of the retreating boy before looking back at Jack apologetically.
"I'm sorry Jack. He's missed you too. He's just,"
"Angry because I've been gone so long?" He completed for her and she gave him a small nod.
"He just needs some time," Elizabeth assured him.
"Why don't you take Kenzie for a minute while I talk to him before service starts?"
"If it's okay with Abigail, I'd like to go and talk to him." He said looking at Abigail who nodded,
"Of course,"
"I'm sorry Elizabeth," she said feeling bad for Jack
"Please don't apologise. Cody loves Jack, he was his best friend, it's only natural that he's angry. Jack gets that. I certainly get it." Abigail gave her arm a supportive squeeze knowing her friend certainly understood what her son was feeling.
"How has it been?"
"Good. We cry a lot, but I guess it's all part of the process. I want to be angry at him but it's not exactly his fault and really what will my anger achieve except tear us apart. We've already lived fourteen months apart. Now that he's here it seems senseless to punish him and myself by denying myself of loving him and being loved by him." Abigail was incredibly proud of Elizabeth. How much she had grown and how her faith in God and in Jack. Ever wavered.
"Not to say I won't have a moment where I'm going to be completely unreasonable just because I can." She added with a smirk making Abigail laugh.
Jack sat down on the church steps besides Cody.
"I'm really sorry I was gone for so long buddy. I had hoped to come back sooner but I wasn't able to. Thank you for taking care of Mrs Thornton whilst I was gone. She told me that you took great care of her."
"You were gone for so long. Aunt Elizabeth missed you and when she didn't think anyone was watching she would cry. Especially before she had Kenzie. She pretended she wasn't sad but I knew she was and she tried to be brave in front of everyone. You said you would come home. You said you would keep in touch...and you didn't. You left. You just left." He accused without looking at Jack. Jack crouched down in front of Cody,
"I am so sorry for not coming home earlier. For leaving Aunt Elizabeth, but I didn't have a choice. I'm sorry I never wrote as often as I promised I wanted to but it was hard to. Just because you didn't hear from me doesn't mean I wasn't thinking of you. I was thinking of you every day. I promise you. Cody I promised I would be back and I am. It took a little longer but I'm here. I'm here buddy." Cody met his gaze and nodded acknowledging what his words were saying but not ready to forgive him just yet. He stood to his feet and walked back into church sitting himself down beside Elizabeth not saying a word. Elizabeth glanced back at Jack who's face conveyed it had not gone well. She ran her hand through Cody's head and dropped a kiss on his temple knowing that it was his loyalty to her that slowed the forgiveness process. Jack after saying his hellos to everyone else sat down on the other side is Elizabeth. She gave his knee a reassuring squeeze. Gratefully he placed his hand over hers and kept it there.
After the service the Thornton's and Coulter's went to Abigail's for Sunday lunch. As always they dined at the private dining room while Carter and the rest of Abigail's staff worked the cafe. Jack watched as Frank, Abigail, Lee, Rosemary, Elizabeth, Clara and the kids worked like clock work getting the table ready. He could see that everyone had their own designated task and seat that they sat in at every meal as a family. He wasn't surprised that Cody was seated on one side of Elizabeth. They had slipped in another chair for him separating Rosemary and Elizabeth. Whilst it was comforting there was a part of him that was sad and if he were honest he felt left out. Sensing his discomfort Elizabeth ran her hand soothingly down his back and placed a kiss on his cheek trying to reassure him. He turned his head and kissed her on her forehead wrapping an arm around her.
"Elizabeth, I had one of the boys sharpen your kitchen knives. I dropped them off on kitchen counter when I went to grab extra nappies for Mary Beth," Lee said as he passed the basket of rolls her way.
"Thank you, it was becoming an exercise just to cut vegetables." She replied as they laughed.
"Frank, my father has asked what day you will be arriving in Hamilton. He'd like to send a car out for you." Elizabeth said as she remembered, only realising that the mention of Hamilton or her parents may make Jack uncomfortable.
"I sent him a wire earlier today with the details. Abigail why don't you fill Jack in on our wedding plans." Frank answered and skilfully segueing the conversation for which she was grateful for.
"Yes, of course. I am so happy you're home for our wedding."
The Thornton and Coulter's walked home together. Lee enjoyed having his friend back. They fell a few steps behind from the women who held their babies close as they talked about Abigail's Bridal shower that they were planning.
"Must be a lot to take in," Lee said softly,
"A little. I've been gone so long, she's so self sufficient and everyone has made sure she's well taken care of which is what I wanted but,"
"Now you feel you've lost your place?" Lee finished for him as Jack gave a nod of acknowledgement.
"Jack, she'a always been self sufficient. Even if you were here she would still insist on doing everything herself. It's how she is. She's had to learn to lean on the rest of us because she had no choice. She realised eventually that she couldn't do it all. We promised you we would look out for her, and we did to the best of our ability but we're not you. She needs you. You're the only one she needs. So be there."
"I will,"
"Good because I'd hate to have to kick your ass. Your wife's grown on me like a little sister so you do right by her." Lee said giving Jack's shoulder a quick nudge with his as they both laughed.
"Well it's either me or Rosie so you take your pick. She's claimed Elizabeth as her very best friend and she's down right protective of her."
"I noticed that. When did happen?"
"The night of the day you left. No one expected that she would turn up to the concert and she did. Brave faced, determined and hauntingly full of grace. I think everyone in that church saw just how strong she was and ever since that day everyone made sure she never felt anything less than strong. So we rallied. But Rosie, something in her went into Mama Bear mode when it came to Elizabeth. Like the force of nature that she is, she threw every ounce of that in being there for Elizabeth. Although to be honest, Elizabeth is equally protective of Rosie. Take it from a man who's had a telling off or two from your wife." Jack grinned imagining it.
One they got to their row houses the two families bid each other Goodnight.
"Goodnight Lizzie," giving his friend a brief but meaningful hug after Rosemary finally released her.
"Night guys, see you tomorrow."
"Let me know if you want me to take your class tomorrow,"
"I should be okay, but if Jack has to work tomorrow I might drop Kenzie off to you instead of taking her to school."
"Sure, either way I'll be home so whatever is easier for you."
"Thanks, and still happy for you to drop off Mary Beth tomorrow night so you two can do date night."
"Are you sure?"
"Of course. I'll give Jack a crash course in juggling babies," she replied taking Jack's hand before entering the house.
Elizabeth placed Kenzie in her bassinet before removing her jacket. She looked over at Jack who seemed unsure of himself.
"You know you can relax, this is your home too."
"I know, I guess it's because I never really got to make this home. I left the day after we married that a part of me has to remind myself that I no longer live in the jail." Elizabeth looked thoughtful for a moment.
"That makes sense," she wasn't sure where to take the conversation from there.
"I've dreamt of sharing a room with you for so long and whilst I was away all I could think of is a being at home with you. I guess it's just getting used to it."
"Of course. I kept your things in the wardrobe in Kenzie's room. I had hung your clothes in our closet. It didn't feel right to through your boxes so I just stored them in the wardrobe."
"Thank you,"
"How are your parents?" He asked as he sat down on the couch.
"They're well. They came to visit after Kenzie was born. Mother wanted to come before but I said I would need her more after Kenzie so she came then. She helped get me into a routine. Kenzie has my father wrapped around her little finger."
"That's not hard to do I'm afraid. She had me in the first five seconds."
"Yes she has a charm to her for sure. I was convinced my father considered moving to Hope Valley just to see her grow up. Thankfully that passed. Although it was nice having them here." Jack was pleased that Elizabeth had restored her relationship with her parents. What they must think of him marrying her, getting her pregnant and leaving her.
"Hey, they're different now. They get it. They get us. Not to mention Kenzie has totally softened them." She said as though answering his thoughts. Jack looked up at her from where he sat. Wordlessly he stood to his feet and crossed the room to kiss her.
"I love you,"
"I love you too Jack."