Elizabeth couldn't sleep that night, her conversation with Jack running through her mind over and over. She doubted her decision to introduce Jack to her parents so soon in their relationship. Their love and feelings were so new but on the other hand, if he got down on one knee that very minute, she would say yes. She was overwhelmed and scared so she wandered down the hall to his door. He could always calm her down.

She didn't hear any snoring which gave her a strange sense of relief. She tapped on the door lightly with her fingertips and then opened the door.

She closed her eyes, hoping she wasn't walking in on an unclothed Jack. Eventually she slowed her heart and breathing down enough to open her eyes, relieved he had a gray t-shirt on.

She lifted the covers and slid under his plaid down comforter, careful not to disturb him, but wanting, at the same time, to be in his arms.

"Elizabeth," he mumbled.

"Shh. Go back to sleep."

"Ok." She listened to his breathing slow and then his eyes popped open. "Wait, what are you doing in here?"

"I need to talk to you."

He looked over at his clock. "Its 2:30 in the morning."

"I know but you always make me feel better."

"Can we talk in the morning?"

"Sure. Sorry." She started to get up but he stopped her.

"Stay, please."

She looked into his eyes and knew he wasn't asking her to do anything against her boundaries. He just wanted her there. "Ok." She moved closer to him and rested her head on his chest. "Goodnight Jack."

"Night, beautiful."

A FEW HOURS LATER

Elizabeth opened her eyes to find two beautiful green ones staring right back. "Hey."

"I had this dream. My girlfriend, whom I love by the way, came into my room last night."

"Oh yeah? What's her name?"

"Beth something-or-other. I can't remember. Anyway, when I opened my eyes, she was there, looking incredible and soft and…"

"Soft?" she interrupted. "Not sure I like being called soft."

"Believe me, it's a good thing."

"Also not sure your girlfriend should be in your bed in the first place, especially since you don't even know her name."

"I told you, Beth something-or-other." He kissed her forehead and pulled her closer. "And you belong right here."

"Jack." He looked at her eyes and her expression.

"What are you worried about?"

"Probably nothing."

"I'm guessing it's something. You broke your own rule to come in here and sleep next to me. I'm glad you did, though."

"Me too."

"You can tell me anything. I hope you know I will always listen." She was grateful for that.

"I'm worried about taking you home, to Madison."

"About your Dad?"

"Yeah. I want them to love you but I'm afraid it may take awhile for them to get used to me with someone other than Charles."

"Then we will be patient. I'm not going anywhere."

Awhile later, Elizabeth snuck out of the room just as Julie walked out of Tom's. Julie's jaw dropped to the floor.

"Morning Jules." Elizabeth smiled and walked back to her room, shutting the door.

"Um, Beth? Care to share?" Julie walked in and sat down.

"Not really."

"I'm speechless. You slept…"

"In his room."

"Did you….?"

"You know me better than that Julie."

"I thought so…I mean, I wouldn't judge you if you had...you know…but I'd certainly be surprised."

"You can say the words "make love". We are grown women, after all. No we didn't and we won't until we're married. I did sleep next to him, however."

"Did you sleep well?"

"Yeah. I need him, Julie. More than I need to breathe. He makes my life full."

"That is very sappy."

"Shush. It's just how I feel, oh and he's going with us to Madison."

"Good. It will be good for Dad to see you with someone other than stuffy old Charles."

TWO DAYS LATER

"Peanut, I love you so much."

"I love you too, Uncle Jack." She threw her arms around his neck once more and then kissed his cheek. "I'm gonna miss you. Can't you come live with us?"

"No, I can't. This is my home but I will come visit. I'll visit so much you'll be sick of me and tell me to go home."

"You're silly."

He set her down and she ran over to Elizabeth. "Miss Thatcher?"

"Yes, sweetie."

"I'm gonna miss you too. You were my favorite teacher."

"Aw, thank you. You're my favorite Elisa."

"How many do you know?"

"Just you." Elizabeth hugged her tight and then put her down.

"Will you come visit me too?"

"Yes, she'll come too, peanut." Jack slipped his arm around Elizabeth's waist.

"Good."

"Come on, Boo. Time to go." They waved as the car drove off.

"I'll see you later?" She turned and kissed him.

"Probably tomorrow," Jack responded. "I may get back late."

Jack was on a mission and Elizabeth couldn't be privy to the details. "Just a hint?"

"Christmas present." He kissed her, smiled, and then drove off.

Jack drove to Billings and met up with his mom. "Hey, thanks for helping, Ma."

"I'm surprised you didn't ask Julie. She knows her better than I do."

"I'm only planning on doing this once so I am happy to have you here."

A WEEK LATER

Elizabeth, Julie, and Jack drove to the airport to head to Madison. Jack had been amazed that their father had sent his private jet. He hadn't heard exactly how well off the family was but apparently pretty well off. They parked Elizabeth's SUV in the reserved parking and walked directly onto the tarmac and up the stairs onto the plane.

"This is so much better than waiting through security lines," Jack mentioned. Elizabeth seemed extremely nervous. She sat down in the spacious tan leather chair and immediately buckled her seatbelt. "Nervous?"

"Yeah. I've never flown before. I know they say it's more likely I would be in an accident on the ground then in the air, but I don't know."

"You've never flown?" He sat down next to her and held out his hand. She slipped her fingers inside his hand and smiled when he gently closed his fingers around hers.

"No, we never went anywhere. Dad travels."

"Oh that's right. I just figured with his own private jet, he would take you guys anywhere you wanted."

"Nope."

Jack looked over at Julie. She was as cool as a cucumber. "You've flown before, Julie?"

"Yep! Love it. So much quicker than driving."

Julie had gone to many places with her friends on spring break. Mexico, the Caribbean, Florida. Elizabeth hung with a different crowd. Well, mostly Charles.

A few moments later, the engines roared louder, making Elizabeth jump. "Its ok," Jack assured her. "Maybe close your eyes."

She did until the completely terrifying liftoff was over and the plane was at cruising altitude.

Julie got out of her seat and moved to the bench seat that looked more comfortable than his couch at home.

Jack noticed the love seat sized bench on the other side of the plane. He stood up and Elizabeth's eyes popped open. "Where are you going?"

"Over here. Why don't you come with me?"

"Are you kidding? I'm staying buckled in my seat."

"Trust me." He held his hand out and waited. After a minute of mulling it over, she unbuckled her belt and took his hand, allowing him to lead her the five feet to the loveseat. She sat stiffly, as close as possible to Jack. "Relax, sweetie. It's just like riding in a car."

"Except we're at 31000 feet above the earth, where my feet belong."

After another stress filled few minutes, she finally relaxed enough to lean her head on his shoulder. He kissed her forehead and whispered, "I love you."

"I love you too."

TWO HOURS LATER

After an even more terrifying descent, the plane finally touched down at the airport in Madison and Elizabeth finally relaxed.

There was a black, very expensive-looking, Lincoln Navigator waiting, a chauffeur standing at the door.

"Is that our ride?" Jack asked.

"Yep and that's the chauffeur, Robinson," Julie told him.

As they stepped into the ground, Elizabeth sighed. "Is it wrong of me to want to lay down and kiss the ground?"

Jack laughed and took her hand. "How about you kiss me instead?" She smiled and kissed his cheek. "That's not exactly what I had in mind." He kissed her on the mouth and she gently pushed him away.

"Not now, Jack."

"Why? It's just Julie."

She pointed at the car where a man with graying hair and a suit more expensive than the three suits combined that hung in Jack's closet stepped out. "Hi, Dad," Julie said with a kiss to his cheek. "Be nice. He's a good one," she whispered as she climbed in the back seat.

"Beth." He said her name, not offering a smile.

"Dad. This is Jack Thornton. Jack, my father, William Thatcher."

Jack smiled and held out his hand. William shook it and looked at Jack, seeming to size him up.

"Nice to meet you, sir," Jack said respectfully.

"You as well."

Jack walked over to the vehicle to get in next to Elizabeth but William stopped him. "I'll sit by Elizabeth. You sit in front."

Jack had no choice but to comply so he climbed in the front and struck up a conversation with Robinson.

Elizabeth felt trapped. She took advantage of Julie keeping their dad occupied with their conversation and reached up between the front passenger door and Jack. He grabbed her hand and squeezed, holding it there.

A half hour later, they pulled up to a very large home. Jack's own home was not a shack by any means, but the Thatcher estate made his home look like it. Typically, Jack didn't get nervous in uncomfortable situations but he felt completely intimidated.

Elizabeth grabbed his hand knowing how he must be feeling and led him into the house. "I know this is weird. I'm sorry if you are uncomfortable."

"It's ok."

A lovely, middle aged woman walked into the immense foyer and smiled at them. "Beth."

"Hi, Mom." She hugged her mom, all of the sudden feeling emotional. "I missed you so much." She hadn't felt that until she saw her. Maybe it was the cancer scare or maybe just the fact that she hadn't seen her in over three months. Whatever it was, it brought the tears.

"I missed you too, dear. Don't cry now. Why don't you introduce me to your young man?"

She nodded, wiped her cheeks and turned around. He walked up and touched her cheek. "You ok?"

"Yes. Jack, this is my mom, Grace. Mom, this is Jack Thornton."

Jack surprised everyone and stepped forward to kiss Grace's cheek. "It's wonderful to meet you, Mrs. Thornton."

"You too, dear." She smiled and patted his cheek. "So handsome."

Elizabeth raised her eyebrows at Jack. "Told you." She turned to her mom. "I'm giving Jack the guest room in my hall. Come on, Jack."

He smiled at Grace, his dimples in full view. "See you later."

"Dinner is at seven."

They climbed the wooden staircase. "You have your own hall?"

"Well, kind of. I'll show you." When they got there, he understood. Each of the three hallways off the stairwell had its own main bedroom, bathroom, and a guestroom. Then the master bedroom had its own hallway as well.

They walked down her hall. "Its private, see?"

"Are you sure your parents are ok with me staying this close to you?"

"I'm a grown woman and I've never given them a reason not to trust me." She opened his door and stepped through. "This is your room."

"This is my room? It's bigger than all of the bedrooms at my house put together."

"You like it?"

"It's very nice. I'm almost afraid to touch anything." He sighed and sat on the bed. "I think your mom likes me but your dad….its going to take a bit I think."

"Yeah, he's overwhelming sometimes."

"Can I see your room?"

"Sure, come on." He followed her and was even more in awe of her room. It had a king size cherry-wood sleigh bed with matching dresser and nightstands. Her roll top desk sat between two windows. She opened the walk-in closet doors and it was like walking into a separate room entirely.

He felt completely inadequate. He could never give her anything as nice as this. Elizabeth noticed his change in demeanor.

"Jack? What's wrong, babe?"

"I think I'm just tired. I'm going to go lay down."

"Jack, you can tell me." He sat down on her bed and she joined him. "Honey, tell me." She touched his face, willing him to make eye contact.

"This is a nice house."

"I guess."

"I mean, the size and everything. I could never give you anything close to this." He stood up and looked out at the garden, covered in snow.

"Jack, I don't want this. I want you, not things." She walked over and turned him. "I love you so much. I don't care if we live in a rundown shack in the middle of nowhere, or in my apartment, or at your ranch. I just want you."

"I just need to think. I'll see you at dinner, ok?"

She nodded and watched him walk away.