Present Day
Jack continued to flip through page after page. The pictures were less and less of the family, but became more and more of Abby and her college friends. Many of these pictures Jack hadn't seen. Lots of sorority pictures. A few camping pictures. A few random around the college pictures. Another photo jumped out at Jack and he stared at that picture for a few minutes. Abby was laughing in the picture. She was happy. Her eyes twinkled. She looked carefree and happy. Jack's eyes went to the young man who's arm was around her...
May 2012
"Mom, Dad, this is Justin," Abby said. "He's the guy I was telling you about." Jack eyed the tall 6 foot 4 young man standing with her. He had the build of a farm boy, but was dressed slightly hipster. An odd combination in Jack's mind.
Justin flashed a smile at the Thorntons. "Sir, ma'am. Nice to meet you," he said with a southern drawl and he extended a hand to Jack, then Elizabeth. "Abby's been helping me with raising money for the missions trip this last semester. She's awesome." He put his arm around her and Abby reached for his fingers.
"Aw, I couldn't do it without you," Abby smiled back. Jack and Elizabeth exchanged looks as they immediately noticed a spark that flew between them. "Hey, Dad, did you park the Suburban by my residence hall?"
"You better believe I did. I'm not lugging your stuff across campus," Jack said.
Abby giggled and grabbed Justin's arm. "Come on, let's go get my stuff. You can help me with my luggage."
As soon as they were out of earshot, Jack said to Elizabeth, "So, Justin, huh? You heard of this?"
"Well, not straight out, but she did text me about her 'friend' Justin. But he was always mentioned in a group — Justin, Brianna, Lana, and Nate, I think, are the ones she usually hangs out with," Elizabeth said.
"Wow, you remember all those names? Lana, Anna, Hannah Montana?" Jack said. Elizabeth laughed.
"After twenty years of teaching, Jack, I've gotten pretty good at remembering rolls and rosters."
Jack watched Justin and Abby walked ahead. "Elizabeth. Does he remind you of anyone?"
"I don't think so?" Elizabeth squinted.
"He reminds me of someone." Jack mused. "I can't place it."
An hour later, Abby's room had cleared of her items. She and Elizabeth had a few more things to do before meeting Jack and Justin downstairs in the lobby.
"So, Justin, what are you studying?"
"I'm studying accounting and economics. I've always like numbers and data trends, so," Justin shrugged.
"Where are you from?" Jack asked. He had to mentally remind himself not to go "Detective Jack" on the guy.
"Birmingham. Alabama. My mom's a nurse and my dad's an electrician."
"Isn't there a university out that way? Samford? Auburn? University of Alabama, maybe? Why'd you come to Baylor?"
Justin laughed. Jack gathered he must have gotten that question a lot. "My dad went to school here, and growing up, I always wanted to be a Baylor Bear. I was hoping to play football and I did last year. This year, I just don't have the time."
Jack was still hung up on the fact that his father went to Baylor. "Who's your dad? Maybe my wife and I would know him?"
"Oh, his name is William, but back then, I'm told, he went by Billy."
Billy? "What'd you say your last name was?" The name that came out of Justin's mouth nearly made Jack's jaw drop as it was certainly not what he expected.
"Hamilton."
"She's dating Billy Hamilton's son. BILLY Hamilton's son," Jack said as they were freshening up for dinner at Tom and Julie's house. "I forbid it."
Elizabeth turned to look at Jack like he was out of his mind. "Oh my gosh. Are you crazy? You can't 'forbid' her to see Justin. That'll cause so many problems." She opened her jewelry bag and pulled out her earrings. "Besides, Justin seems like a nice guy."
"His dad was such a player," Jack said gruffly. Elizabeth didn't argue because it was true. In her freshman year, Billy who was a sophomore, smoothly entered into her life as he bought her an iced coffee when a careless student accidentally knocked hers over. Billy spent a lot of time with Elizabeth quoting poetry that he claimed he had written himself just for her. Jack was definitely jealous of all the time Billy spent with Elizabeth. His jealousy turned into rage when he saw Billy on a date in town with another college student. Elizabeth didn't believe him at first, and for several weeks, she and Jack were at odds with each other. When Rosemary found out, she immediately took Jack's side which caused some friction between her and Elizabeth. However, all of that changed when she saw it firsthand. To make the matters worse, she overheard Billy quoting the same poem he had quoted to Elizabeth. Right then and there, Elizabeth broke up with him. Billy at first ignored her, but then tried to win her back. However, that time around, he had Jack to answer to.
"We have to give Justin a chance. He may not be like his father and I'm sure Billy's grown up since college. Especially if he goes by the name 'William.'" Elizabeth said.
"Elizabeth," Jack said. Elizabeth looked at Jack expecting him to give her another speech, but instead, he surprised her. "Did you know you have the most grace for people that I've ever met?"
"What do you mean?"
"You are quick to give people a chance, regardless their history, background, etc. If more people did that, the world would be a better place."
"At the same time, maybe I am a little too gracious. Maybe if I had your intuition, I wouldn't have gotten caught up with Billy Hamilton's antics."
"You know what, it's okay. Your time with Billy, just made me realize how much I wanted you." Jack winked. "Everything works together for good."
At dinner, Jack didn't say much, but instead sat back and observed. He blamed it on the fact that he was tired from all the traveling he'd done the last 24 hours. He watched Justin. He seemed to really like talking about himself. Justin was a sophomore and was helping head up the mission trip fundraisers. He worked on the maintenance crew at the school part time. Jack watched Abby as she soaked up everything he would say. Abby laughed at ALL of his jokes. She seemed to be in heaven. It was unusual for Jack to watch. He didn't know how he felt. On one hand, this was Billy Hamilton's son. On the other hand, Justin was not Billy. He had to get that through his own head. People change. The next generation changes.
Through the next year, Jack learned he had to let go of somethings. When Abby and Ben were together, he didn't realize how easy it was to "monitor" their relationship. Not that he was stalking them or being over-controlling, but rather observe from a distance. He was able to see sides of Ben he had never known before. Jack knew what made Ben tick, like when Rosemary was interfering and pushy. Or watching injustice. He knew his temperament. Ben was so similar to Lee, laid back, relaxed, and witty. He knew that Ben would never hurt Abby. He was able to scope him out enough to know that he was a good young man for Abby to marry one day.
With Justin, it was much harder. Not to mention being a Hamilton didn't help his case much. Jack couldn't get to know Justin as well as he got to know Ben due to distance. However, the times Jack did get to spend time with Justin, he was surprised by his Southern gentleman hospitality. He opened doors, said "ma'am" and "sir," and made sure the ladies were served first. He walked on the outside of the sidewalk and made sure that Abby's books were always carried back to her dorm. Justin always made it a point to ask about the family. Abby was always praising Justin. Life had turned into "Justin this" and "Justin that." That was all they heard about. However, Jack didn't really know anything beyond that surface. And that's what scared him. But at the same time, he had to trust the fact that he and Elizabeth raised a wonderful young lady. He had to trust her. He had to trust her judgment.
August 2012
"Where's Abby?" Jack asked impatiently. They were already running late.
"Texting Justin," Ethan said, walking up with his suitcase.
"Ooooh… Justin!" Madison said. Ethan and Daniel smirked. "That's all she ever talks about anyways." Madison rolled her eyes. Out of all of the Thornton's, Madison was the sassiest, even at eleven years old.
"Abigail Grace!" Jack yelled up the stairs. "We're leaving without you!"
"Oh, snap. She got the full name yell." Ethan muttered to Daniel. "Let's get out of here."
Abby walked down the stairs with her phone in her hand. And she was still staring at it.
"What is so important on that phone?" Jack asked.
"Nothing," Abby said with a silly smirk on her face. Jack just gave her a look.
"Let's go," Jack said pushing her towards the door. The Thornton's were flying to Destin for Becky's destination wedding.
"I can hardly believe Becky is getting married!" Elizabeth said. "I can't imagine what Abigail is feeling right now."
"I can't imagine how Pastor Frank is feeling, considering that he's giving her away AND doing the ceremony." Jack shuddered.
"What if it were me?" Abby asked from the back. "You could be walking me down the aisle a lot sooner than you think." Abby teased.
"Big fat nope!" Jack said. "I don't think so." Abby just giggled from the back. Jack looked in the rearview mirror and saw that she had gone back to texting. Probably Justin.
The Thorntons met the Coulters at the airport as they were once again flying down to Florida as a group.
"Remember the last time we did this?" Elizabeth said as they started boarding the plane.
"Six kids under seven years old? Yeah, we were crazy." Lee said.
"Definitely easier now," Jack said noting all of their children. They were all on some sort of digital device. Abby was still texting on her cell phone. Ben and Ethan were reading on their tablets. Michaela and Jenna were listening to their iPods. Daniel and Madison were watching a movie on their tablet.
"I'll never understand how our children get so attached to those things." Rosemary rolled her eyes.
The plane trip to Florida was uneventful. Well, the flight was uneventful.
As the Thorntons and Coulters were getting their luggage out of baggage claim, they heard Abby shriek.
"Justin?!" Abby dropped her bag and ran to him. Jack's mouth dropped. Elizabeth's eyes grew big and she looked at Jack then at Abby, then back at Jack. They knew that Justin, being so close to Florida, was coming as Abby's "plus one." They just did not expect him to see him at the airport. With the Coulters.
Is this awkward? Or is it just me?
"That's Justin?" Madison said curiously. "She dum-" Jack quickly covered Madison's mouth before she could say the word "dumped Ben."
"Hi, Justin," Jack said, sticking his hand out. "Good to see you again."
"You too, sir," he said. Then noticing all of the other eyes staring at him, said, "Wow, Abs, I didn't realize you had such a huge family."
"Oh, yeah," Abby flushed. "This is my little sister Madison, and my brothers, Ethan and Daniel. And these are the Coulters, um, you've met Ben, right? He goes to Baylor with us."
"Hey, man, how's it going," Justin said, shaking his hand.
"Hey, it's good. Good seeing ya," Ben said politely, before turning back to the luggage conveyor belt which started going again. Jack watched the exchange, then watched Ben yank his duffle bag off of the belt. He watched Abby and Justin head towards a bench to sit and talk, before turning his head back to the conveyor belt. Ben silently yanked another duffle bag off of the belt.
"Hey, take it easy," Jack said, trying to lighten the mood. Even though Abby was his daughter, Jack exactly knew what Ben was feeling.
"Yeah, yeah," Ben said.
Just then, Rosemary scurried up to them. "Jack. Who is that young man, Abby is with? Is that her new boyfriend? Well, I assume so because he's here. With her."
"That's Justin." Jack started to say.
"Is he dating Abby?" Rosemary said again glancing back and forth. She sighed. "Oh, Ben, I don't know what you did wrong, but-"
"Rosemary!" Jack finally snapped quietly. He was getting tired of Rosemary meddling. But more importantly, he didn't think it was fair for Ben to take the heat. After all, it wasn't his fault. But apparently, Ben covered up for Abby. Jack wondered if it was for the sake of their families friendships. And he knew it would be Rosemary who would make things worse.
"Uncle Jack, it's fine," Ben started to say.
"What's going on?" Lee asked not having heard what Rosemary said. He was trying to stay calm, but was a little peeved that Jack snapped at his wife.
"Ben, can you, watch the kids?" Jack said, before dragging Lee and Rosemary out of earshot. Then looking at Rosemary, who was looking pretty annoyed herself, Jack said in lowered tones, "Rosie, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snap at you. And Lee, I'm sorry for snapping at Rosie."
"It's fine, Jack, but what's going on?" Lee asked. Jack turned his attention to Rosie.
"Look, Rosie, I know how much you wanted Ben and Abby to get married and have babies and all of that stuff, and how you've been trying to get them married since they were children. But, it's over. You have to accept the fact that it's just not meant to be."
"But-"
"No," Jack held up his hand to stop her. "You have to let this go. Let Ben live his life. It's hard; we are having to let Abby go and live her life. As much as I want to interfere and solve all her problems, we can't. And whatever happened between the two of them is in the past. It's their history. It's not ours to fix. It's not even our place to begin with. And it's not our business as to what happened, and what will happen in the future. Just trust him, Rosemary."
Rosemary crossed her arms and started to argue with him, but Lee interjected.
"He's right, Rosie," Lee said. "You've always had a hard time letting go. But you have to start." Rosemary's body language relaxed, and she gave the men a small smile.
"I guess- no, I know, you're right. But, honestly, I just don't understand. What happened?" Rosemary said, a little sadly.
"What happened to who?" Elizabeth asked walking up. "Jack, I got our SUV. It's pretty slick!" She noticed Jack, Lee, and Rosemary solemn. "What are you talking about?"
"Ben and Abby. What happened to them?" Rosemary said again in hushed tones. Rosemary nodded towards them. Abby and Ben were clearly ignoring each other. Ben was playing on his phone not looking up and Abby and Justin were enthralled with each other. Even Jack had to admit, it was strange to see. They were like two strangers. After years and years of friendship, banter, and fun, everything went away. Just like that.
"Rose-" Lee started to say.
"But they're not even friends." Rosemary cut Lee off. "I get what Jack said. And I get that I can be, a little over the top, but look at them!" Rosemary's hands gestured. "It's like 20 years of friendship lost. I mean, come on. Jack, you understand right? When we were their age, we were still friends even after we dated. And thank goodness because without you, I wouldn't have met Lee! Would it really be worth them losing their friendship over breaking up? And what happened?" Rosemary asked, yet again.
"Mom, Dad, can we go already?" Madison said running up, interrupting the conversation.
Jack was relieved. He didn't feel like hashing this out. He didn't think it was right to interfere. He didn't understand Rosemary's insistence on interfering and he didn't understand her holding on to the past. Jack hoped that this was it and that they could, and would, all move on.
Becky's wedding was beautiful and intimate. It was the perfect destination wedding. Elizabeth cried almost as much as Abigail did. After all, she also watched Becky grow up and babysat her and Cody when they were adopted by the Hogans. Frank held up very well and Jack was impressed. As the father-daughter dance started, Jack looked at Madison who was sitting next to him then at Abby at the next table.
"Dad, will you dance with me?" Madison whispered.
"After this," Jack promised. After the father-daughter dance ended, the DJ changed the song and invited everyone on the dance floor. Madison danced with Jack until the music changed to a slow dance. Elizabeth, who was loving watching Madison dance with Jack, walked up to Madison and tapped her shoulder.
"So sorry to interrupt, but I think your dad owes me a dance," Elizabeth winked. Madison gave them both a hug before running off to find her brothers. "Lucky" started to play and Jack and Elizabeth danced to the music. The DJ switched it up again and started to play another fast-paced song. Jack and Elizabeth opted to sit that one out. "Honeybee" came on and they watched Abby and Justin take a spin on the dance floor.
"They look like they're having a fun time," a voice came from behind them. Jack turned and saw that Abigail pulled up a chair and sat with them.
"Abigail, does it get any easier?" Elizabeth asked.
Abigail laughed. "No. No, it doesn't."
"That's what I was worried about." Jack ran his fingers through his hair. "I don't know how you and Frank held it together today."
"Don't worry, Jack," Abigail said. "You and Elizabeth have done a fantastic job raising your children."
They were silent and they continued watching.
Finally, Elizabeth turned and looked at Abigail. "But what if they still make mistakes?" Her gaze turned to Justin and Abby laughing and trying to do the Electric Slide. She said what she and Jack had been thinking to themselves, but were to scared to say out loud. But Elizabeth finally verbalized what they both had been thinking.
"The Lord will direct her steps. You not only have to trust her. But more importantly, you need to trust Him," Abigail said.
"Spoken like a true preacher's wife," Jack said. The three of them continued to chat and Lee and Rosemary plopped down next to them.
"I'm beat!" Rosemary said slouching in her chair.
"We are not 20-something anymore," Lee said. "But, it was fun throwing it back for a little bit. Although, I don't recognize half of these songs. What happened to the Macarena?"
"Sure was fun!" Rosemary said before taking a drink of water. "And, we haven't done that in ages! Lee, do you even remember the moves to the Macarena?"
"Hah! His "Macarena" ended up more like the "Chicken Dance," Jack scoffed jokingly.
"Hey, man, you're one to talk, Mr. Two Left Feet," Lee joked back.
They started talking about Becky's wedding and how perfect it was. As they continued talking, Jack noticed that Elizabeth was distracted. He casually glanced over to see what she was staring at. Ben was walking towards Justin and Abby. He tapped Justin on the shoulder and said something. Justin smiled and gestured towards Abby before walking towards Michaela. Abby looked flushed as Ben said something to her. She said something back and they started dancing to the Cha Cha. The song ended and the DJ changed the song to Jason Mraz's latest hit, "I Won't Give Up."
Jack's eyebrow went up. He looked at Justin who was dancing with Michaela. He was showing her some dance moves and they seemed oblivious to the song that was playing. He looked at Elizabeth. Elizabeth's eyes said it all. Out of all songs, did the DJ HAVE to play this?
Jack and Elizabeth watched Abby and Ben dance to the song. Abby's eyes said it all. They knew she was feeling conflicted. She was confused. But they knew for the time being, at least, they couldn't meddle. This was something she had to figure out. Where was her heart calling her?