Another school year, came and went. Elizabeth tried her best to take advantage of her summer. She exercised regularly, joined a summer book club, planned for the school year and tried her best not to stress about not being pregnant. She couldn't, understand why they were having a hard time. This summer was full of "summer lovin'". They both were determined to get pregnant. Elizabeth downloaded an app that told her when she ovulating. Her and Jack seemed to have the times and days down pat. Yet they still had no baby. Elizabeth never wanted to stress Jack out about it so she tried to keep her feelings to herself. She made a doctor appointment so she could get checked for the following week.

Jack sat at his desk rubbing his forehead. His alarm just went off letting him know that tonight him and Elizabeth had a special dance lesson. He had named their time together as a dance lesson just in case his phone was down or someone in the office saw the alarm. He loved being with his wife. He had spent many cold showers and late night exercising sessions thinking about those moments. Yet now it seemed more of a job. A job he was failing at. He tried every time to make her feel important and special and to set the mood full of love. Yet the time together seemed more of focus and concentration on the mission of getting pregnant. Making love was a thing of the past, they were truly just having around the clock sex. Jack was stressed about this. He needed to talk to someone about it. On his break he called his primary doctor to schedule an appointment for the following week.

Wednesday morning Elizabeth got up at 4 am to see Jack off. She gave him his lunch and a short kiss. She was so nervous about her appointment later that morning that after he left she couldn't sleep. She stayed up and decided to clean house. By 6 am she was done. She walked Lilly, went to the gym started the laundry and went to the grocery story. At 8:30 she finished her daily chores and went to get ready for her doctor appointment. She pulled up to her appointment and said a small pray. For strength and good news. She walked inside and was soon called.

Jack pulled up to the doctor's office in regular clothes he hated going to the doctors in uniform. It made him feel weird. He checked in and was called to the back shortly.

The doctor took samples from both Jack and Elizabeth and talked to them about the possible outcomes and the solutions he saw fit. At the end of the visit both doctor's encouraged them both to talk to one another. On the way out fate sped up the process. As Elizabeth said goodbye to her doctor Jack was also saying goodbye to his. In the hallway they were left looking like deer in headlights.

"Baby you didn't mention you had a visit with Dr. Burns today?" said Elizabeth. "Yeah just a checkup" Jack said as he scratched his head. What did you see Dr. Taylor for? "Just a checkup" she said. "Are you going back to the station"? she asked as he walked her to her car. "For a little, I need to close out some files" he said softly. He gave her a kiss and they went there way. They both felt weird seeing each other at the doctor. As Jack drove to the station he wondered why she hadn't mentioned the visit to him. As Elizabeth pulled up to the house she wondered the same thing for Jack.

At the house Elizabeth cooked dinner for them, organized laundry, and graded tests. Around 8 pm Jack found her on the couch knocked out. He shook her lightly to get her to bed. Jack helped her into bed and cleaned up the front of the house. He took a shower and got ready for bed. He laid still thinking there was a weirdness in the air. He needed to talk to her. He had worked late on purpose. He didn't know how to talk about earlier. He was worried about the test results and figured he talk to her about it once he had the test results. He tried to think of a way to tell her. This was his weekend off. He thought they could take a mini vacation. Maybe a change of scenery would help bring them together.

The next morning Jack rolled over and Elizabeth side of the bed was empty. He would have normally gone and looked for her. This time he laid in bed and decided to go back to sleep for a few more minutes. Elizabeth, had woken up early not being able to sleep well the night before and gone to the gym. She knew this was Jack's weekend off. He hadn't been home all weekend in months. She wanted to enjoy her time with him but something was happening and it felt weird. When she got home the drama began.

The whole weekend was filled with constant arguing. Jack was so upset with her and she felt the same. All weekend they stayed to themselves. Julie and Tom joined them for dinner on Saturday night. It was so awkward that they left before dessert was served. Sunday morning Jack woke up early and drove to spend the day with his mom. He arrived to his mom's house at 9 am. He walked in on her making pancakes. "What a surprise, I'm not surprised though" Charlotte laughed "Huh" said Jack. "What are you talking about" he asked. "Tom told me you and Elizabeth are fighting "said Charlotte. "I'm not concerned yawl will work it out" she smiled. Jack looked at her. "I hope so" he mumbled.

They ate breakfast and Jack explained everything to his mom. She was truly his best friend. "Jack as a woman we are told that our job is to have babies, I just think Elizabeth is feeling a little broken and right now she needs you to be there to support her and love her". "She is just taking out her fears and frustration on you baby." " All will overcome this and I will have a beautiful baby to love" said Charlotte. She always knew what to say. A few moments later his phone rang. He glanced down to Elizabeth smiling at him. "Hi baby, "he answered. "Hi" she responded. "Where are you"? She asked "I'm at mommas" he said "Oh I didn't know you had planned to go there today" she said slightly irritated. "Yeah momma needed some yard work done" he lied. They chatted for a minute longer and then they hung up. "Why did you lie to her"? asked Charlotte." I don't know" he said looking down. "I think we just need some time apart." He mumbled." I feel like the stress of us not having a family is starting to worry her" he stated still looking down." Its worrying me" he said in a shack voice. "I want us to be complete, I want us to have a big family, I want us to tuck my children in and make them feel safe. I want to brag about my kids at work, I want to drive them to school and to practice and be there at the girl's scout meeting, I want to cheer them on at a soccer game. Most of all I want to love them hard and show teach them how to love" he said, wiping his eyes. Charlotte gave him a bug hug. "You're going to an excellent father son". "Look at you making me cry" she teased. "Have you told her that" she asked." We haven't talked about it" said Jack. "All we have done all year is try" he said. "There are another options son". "I know and I'm open to them". "I even went to the doctor to get checked out the other day". "I'm waiting for the results". Charlotte listened. "Son I love you, and I'm happy you're here, but get home and talk to your wife". "Before you leave you can cut the grass". "Since you did come here for the yard work" she laughed.

Jack went to the shed and saw he had a missed call from Elizabeth. So he called her back.

J: Hey sorry I missed your call.

E: Hi baby, are you planning on staying at your mom's all day?

J: No I'm about to cut the grass and then head back, are you okay.

E: I'm sorry for being grouchy earlier. I miss you, and I'm bored she laughed hurry up and come home

J: I'm sorry to. We have a lot to talk about.

They hung up the phone and Jack smiled. He truly had the best wife. He cut the grass and went home. When he pulled up to the house he saw her and Lilly walking up also. He got out the truck and walked to meet her at the end of the drive way. The hug they shared was as if he had just come home after being gone for weeks. She started crying. "I hate fighting with you". Jack laughed "we were fighting?" He asked. She laughed a little. They went inside and decided what to cook for dinner. Jack showered and changed into sweats and a hoodie. He met Elizabeth in the kitchen to help her cook. As she cooked the meat for the shepherd's pies, they talked about the issues they needed to face. They shared the fears they had and they sat down and said a lovely prayer. They decided to work on their marriage and each other and stop trying so hard to have a family.