Meetings
Two days later Elizabeth collapsed at her desk at the end of her first of two half days that week. Somehow she was twice as tired even having spent only half the time with her students.
"They just know summer is coming and they want to make sure I know it too," she thought.
She glanced over at the clock on the wall. It was almost time to meet Jack and his mother for lunch. She wondered if lunch was a bad idea considering the summersaults her stomach was doing. It was as if her nerves had an extra cup of coffee that morning for how alive they seemed.
She grabbed her things and tried giving herself a pep talk that everything would be just fine.
"I can do this. I'm Elizabeth Thatcher! I'm strong… capable… and scared out of my mind!" She groaned, "This is a terrible idea!"
She pulled out her phone dialing the one person she felt could help her in this situation.
"Hello?" a cheery voice sang.
"Rosie, it's me."
"Hey sweetie, how's it going? No school today?"
"It's a half day. I need your help."
"Of course! What can I do? Need help with the kids today?"
"No nothing like that," she paused. "I'm meeting Jack's mother today. I'm not sure it's a good idea…"
"You're meeting Charlotte! Goodness now I get why you sound so worked up," Rosie laughed.
"Your laughter is not overly helpful right now, my friend," Elizabeth teased.
"You're probably right, sorry. So what's the problem?"
"What if she doesn't like me?"
"Oh no really Elizabeth. What's not to like?"
"I'm serious Rosie! I can't remember the last time I did this. Actually, I've never done this!"
"You've never met your boyfriend's mother before?"
"Not like this! Charles was my first serious relationship and we grew up together sort of. Our families ran in the same circles."
"Okay, I get that but honestly, you have nothing to worry about. Charlotte is a hoot!"
"What does that mean?"
"It just means Charlotte Thornton is… well let's just say she is one of kind."
"Rosie! Again, what does that mean? Why aren't you speaking clearly about this!"
Rosie laughed. "Relax. She's very easy going, says exactly what's on her mind and is just an all around great woman."
"That doesn't sound so bad."
"No, it isn't. I bet she'll just love you."
"What makes you think that?" She rolled her eyes.
"Honey, there's nothing not to like about you and you're perfect for Jack! Just go in there and be you."
"I guess that doesn't sound so hard."
"Because it's not, silly! Besides she'll see through any act you try to put on. I swear, the police could really use her in an interrogation!"
"Okay you had me till that last bit, now I'm scared again," she sighed. "I think this is a bad idea."
"Elizabeth, you like Jack right?"
"Of course! You know I do!"
"You want to have a real relationship with him?"
"Yes…"
"Well then honey, this is part of the game. Please trust me, it will be okay."
Elizabeth pulled into the Olive Garden parking lot 20 minutes later, parking right next to Jack's cruiser. Before she'd even turned off the van, Jack had jumped out of his car and was standing ready to greet her.
"Hey, babe," he said giving her a quick kiss. "You ready?"
"I guess. Though to be honest I'm kind of nervous." Elizabeth stood looking at her reflection in the car window, trying to smooth out her skirt.
"Don't be. Mom's real easy going and I know she's going to love you."
"That's what Rosie said."
"You called Rosie about this?" Jack laughed.
"I was nervous!" she said hands on her hips.
"Come here," he said pulling her aside. He wrapped his arms around her waist holding her close. "Now, what's got you so nervous?"
"Jack, look at my life. You are an amazing, handsome, successful man. I'm a divorced mother of two. Not exactly what most mothers are looking for for their sons."
"Their loss and my gain." He covered her lips with his, kissing her as if he was trying to kiss her worries away. "You are an amazing, beautiful, successful woman Elizabeth. Trust me, it's going to okay."
"I do trust you." He raised her hand to his cheek, giving her a tender kiss. Stepping back, they headed into the restaurant until Elizabeth stopped them. "Jack, aren't you on duty?"
"I am."
"Then where's your uniform?" she asked noticing his nice button down and tie.
"You'll see." She looked at him very confused, but shrugged it off as they walked hand in hand into the restaurant lobby. As soon as they entered a tall woman with long dark brown hair and a big welcoming smile stood.
"Mom, this is Elizabeth Thatcher. Elizabeth this is my mother, Charlotte Thornton."
"Nice to meet you Mrs. Thornton," Elizabeth said extending her hand.
"You as well Lizzie, and please, call me Charlotte."
"It's Elizabeth, Mom."
"It's okay Jack," Elizabeth smiled. Not entirely minding how the nickname sounded for once.
"3 for lunch?" the hosts asked them.
"Yes." Jack answered, wrapping his arm around the still noticeably nervous Elizabeth.
They took their seats at the table and began making small talk as the two woman tried getting to know each other.
"I have to say Lizzie, I feel as though we've met before…" Charlotte said studying Elizabeth's face.
"Oh really? Maybe. I've only lived here in the Valley for a couple years."
"You were in the city before correct?"
"Yes, in Boston. It's one of my favorite cities but I do really enjoy living here."
"It's certainly a nice place to live and raise children," Charlotte smiled, thinking of all her memories.
"I completely agree!" Elizabeth smiled.
When their server came by they placed the orders for the soup, salad and bread. Elizabeth could tell Charlotte was still trying to figure out why she recognized her. She racked her brain but had no idea herself, but agreed that there was something familiar about the older woman.
"Jack tells me you're a teacher?" Charlotte asked.
"Yes, I teach 5th grade at Hope Valley Middle School."
"I loved teaching."
"Mom taught high school for years," Jack interjected.
"Really?" Elizabeth asked.
"Yes and loved every minute of it. I can be a little too… blunt for the young grades," Charlotte laughed. "So the high schoolers and I got along quite well."
"That wonderful. Those can be hard years. Kids need a good solid teacher for that, who's willing to be real with them."
"Same thing with middle schoolers," Charlotte smiled, raising her glass to Elizabeth. Elizabeth smiled, her nervousness evaporating.
Suddenly it hit Charlotte. "Lizzie, how long had you been working at Hope Valley Middle School? 2 years?"
"That's right."
"Did you happen to work at a private school in the city before that?"
"Mom, what's with all the questions," Jack reprimanded, unsure how interrogating Elizabeth was going to help them build a relationship.
"Relax Jack." Charlotte tapped Jack's hand as she kept her focus on Elizabeth.
"It's okay Jack and yes, I worked at a private middle school called Rosewood Academy in Boston before coming here. I'm completing my second year now and it's been wonderful."
"That's it then! I remember you now from your interview!"
"Huh?" Jack said confused.
"Wait! You were one of the school board members in my group interview weren't you?"
"Yes! Before I retired completely I was part of the school board for Hope Valley."
"Yes I remember," Elizabeth laughed. "Oh Mrs. Thornton, you were my friendly face in the crowd that day after that joke you made."
Charlotte chuckled and turned to Jack. "Everyone in that room was so serious and scary. She was being interviewed for a teaching job, not a high level security job," she joked rolling her eyes. "You were nervous I could tell. Much like you are now," she said placing her hand reassuringly over Elizabeth's.
"I am nervous," she admitted.
"No need dear. I trust my son when it comes to his own life. He's always been a great judge of character."
"Thanks for that Mom." Jack blushed.
"I'm just excited to finally meet you. Jack's spoken very highly of you. As does Clara."
"It's wonderful to meet you!" She meant it too. Especially now that she was more at ease. "Jack has told me so many wonderful things about your family and I've met Jesse of course."
"Oh dear, he tell you about Tommy?" she teased. "Though he really is a good boy."
"I did Mom." Jack and Elizabeth shared a knowing smile. They'd both decided to keep their siblings "relationship" a secret for the time being.
Their food soon arrived and their conversation continued to flow. Jack sat back pleased at how well Elizabeth and his mom were getting along.
"When do you start drill again?" Charlotte asked her son as they ate. She knew now he was home, he'd step back into his one weekend a month drill duties soon.
"This weekend actually. It was going to be the following weekend but that's when Jesse has his pre wedding party."
"Glad it worked out. I'm looking forward to going to this with you," Elizabeth smiled.
"Don't worry, I wouldn't miss it. Or a chance out with you." His confession made Elizabeth blush, especially with Charlotte sitting right there. Charlotte just beamed. Elizabeth seemed sweet as could be, perfect for Jack.
As they finished their meal, Jack placed his napkin on the table and cleared his throat. "So I got some news today."
"What is it son?" Charlotte sounded concerned. Her first thought that he might be getting sent back overseas for some reason.
Jack sensed her worry right away. "Now don't be mad, either of you, but I took the detective's exam a couple weeks ago at the department."
"Jack! How could you not saying anything?" Charlotte huffed.
"I didn't want to jinx it Mom," he shrugged "Anyway, the results came in today and well… I am now Detective Jack Thornton. That's why I'm out of uniform, detectives tend to dress professional or to blend in more."
"Oh I see!" Elizabeth laughed. "That's wonderful Jack! I'm so proud of you!" Elizabeth beamed, leaning over to kiss his cheek.
"Yes, congratulations son." Charlotte smiled watching the couple's interactions, loving the chemistry between them.
"Thanks. I've been doing a lot of the work lately anyway but now it's for real. Even better, I get to take point on the case I've been working. It feels pretty good," Jack said proudly.
"Does that mean more danger?" Elizabeth asked and Charlotte nodded. She too wanted to know the answer.
"Yes and no. As far as this case goes it won't make a difference but in the long run it should pull me out of some of the day to day dangers."
Charlotte watched Elizabeth's face, seeing in it the same look of worry she had with Jack's father years before.
When lunch was over Jack and Elizabeth walked Charlotte to her truck. It was a big black Ford Tundra, not exactly what Elizabeth expected but at the same time it fit Charlotte well.
"Thanks for lunch you two." She gave them both hugs goodbye. "I look forward to seeing you again Elizabeth! Thank you for taking time out of your day to meet an old lady."
"It was a pleasure to meet you Mrs. Thornton, thank you."
They waved as she drove off before Jack walked Elizabeth back to her car.
"You were right Jack, your mom's lovely," she sighed with relief.
"I told you." He wrapped his arm around her as they walked. "So, how do you feel now that that's over?"
"Good." She stood on her tiptoes kissing Jack before turning to leave.
"Hold it right there missy," he said grabbing her hand.
"What's wrong Jack?" she laughed.
"Look around. There's no one here but us."
"Okay…" she played dumb.
"That means, I can do this." He pulled her to him, kissing her lips hard. "We still alone?" he asked pulling back slightly.
"Looks that way," she said looking around.
"Good." He pulled her back again for another kiss. She opened her mouth slightly, giving him the invitation he was longing for. He groaned as they pulled apart. "I'm going to miss you this weekend."
"I'll miss you too. When will you get back?"
"Sometime on Sunday. Can I see you when I do?"
"You'd better," she teased.
"Good." He leaned in to capture her lips again, wanting to take the feel and taste of them with him for the weekend.
A loud noise came from his cell, cutting their second kiss short.
"Detective Thornton," he answered. "Okay I'll be there soon." He hung up and turned his attention back to Elizabeth. "I have to go," he sighed.
"I know." Elizabeth stared lovingly up at him. "Be safe out there Jack."
"Always," he grinned.
After one more kiss, she watched him run off. "Yup, I love that man. Just need to figure out how to tell him." she smiled, trying not to let her worries about his safety take over.
….
Jack drive down Rt 15 with his lights and siren blazing. He had tried to keep Elizabeth from hearing the call that came in earlier, not wanting to scare her. A body had been found of a man in his early 20's near the cityline.
He got out, flashed his badge and walked over to where everyone was gathered under an overpass just outside the city.
"Shane!" Jack called out. "What have we got?" Jack asked as he ducked under the police tape.
"Uniforms are still gathering evidence. At first we thought it was your simple mugging gone wrong," he said gesturing to the body under the sheet.
"But now?"
"Now it looks like something a bit more complicated. We found his wallet tossed over there by the dumpsters. Nothing was in it, hence the mugging theory, but then we found this in a hidden pocket."
"An insurance card?"
"Yeah, that's how we ID'ed him. Names James Ryan."
"James Ryan? That name sounds familiar."
"Yeah it should. He's a big shot in the Tolliver gang."
"Great." Jack sighed, looking around studying the graffiti tags on the walls and the location of the scene, telling uniforms to take pictures of everything for evidence before turning to Shane. "Tollivers and the O'Reillys are rivals I believe. Their territories cross just south of here."
"You think the O'Reilly's had something to do with this?'
"Not sure, but it's a place to start."
Jack and Shane worked well into the night on the case. Jack wanted to get as much in as he could before leaving for drill the next day. He felt confident that this murder was a sign of heated tensions between the O'Reillys and the Tollivers. They needed to get ahead of this and fast.
….
The next morning Elizabeth pulled into the parking lot at school, already missing Jack. She was a little annoyed with herself, not sure when she became the kind of woman that didn't want to be without her boyfriend for even a weekend.
Her hand was just reaching for the main door when she heard someone call her name.
"Jack!" she smiled when she turned around. "What are you doing here?"
"I was heading out for drill but I wanted to see you. I brought you coffee too." He handed her the iced coffee, as she pulled him in by the collar for a kiss.
"No wonder I was already missing him," she thought.
"You look pretty great in that uniform," she grinned, eyeing how his guard uniform fit him perfectly.
"Thanks," he grinned. "It's weird, I wore it the whole year I was away. In some ways it's more normal to me than my street clothes."
"Well I think you look handsome in anything," she smiled kissing him again.
Jack sighed. "I should go. I won't be near my phone much during the day but I'll try and call tonight."
"I look forward to it."
They shared a quick goodbye kiss and hug as students and other faculty began filling the parking lot.
….
An hour and a half away in Boston, William Thatcher was in a rush as he walked off the elevator onto the main floor of his law firm.
"Mr. Thatcher, about your morning meeting…" his secretary called out as he whizzed past.
"Yes Dawna, I know I'm running late," he laughed. "Traffic was a beast this morning. Do you have the extra files I messaged you about?" He walked into his corner office picking up the files he needed.
"Yes sir but I need to talk to you about the law team Howardson's law firm sent over."
"Why?" William stopped what he was doing and looked up.
"They sent Charles Kensington."
He stood there blinking at her. "You're telling me… my ex son-in-law is in that conference room right now? To negotiate a deal with me for Howardson?"
"Yes sir. See why I tried to stop you from walking in?"
"Yes, thank you…" William took a seat at his desk.
"Shall I tell them you were pulled into something and we'll be there shortly?"
"Yes. That will be fine." William rubbed his head. Charles was the last person he expected or wanted to see today.
Five minutes later William walked into the conference room with the rest of his team.
"My apologies gentleman. Now, I believe we're all familiar enough with each other and the matter at hand so let's dig in."
The meeting took two hours from start to finish.
William bid the London team good day and headed out of the room, leaving no room for small talk. He knew his actions wouldn't seem too strange as he was the head of the firm and a busy man. Everyone would just assume he was rushing off to another meeting. Truth was he just wanted to get away from Charles.
"Good job William, you didn't kill him. That probably would have been bad." he thought to himself. He loosened his tie as he rounded the corner back towards his office.
"William?" Charles called out. "You have a moment?"
He turned to face Charles, balling his fists at his side. "Of course." He took a deep breath and gestured for Charles to follow him into his office, closing the door behind them.
"Take a seat." William pointed to the chair in front of his desk as he took his own seat.
"Thank you William. I wanted to apologize for not sending advance notice that I was on the team coming. I'm sure it was a shock."
"A bit yes."
"You treated me like a professional in there and I wanted to thank you."
"I've been in business a long time Charles. I've learned how to work with those I don't care for."
"Yes… I guess you would." Charles sat nervously adjusting his tie.
"Does Elizabeth know you're here?"
"No."
"You planning on telling her? Or seeing your kids? You remember you have kids right?"
"That's not fair, William."
"Mr. Thatcher to you and yes it is fair. It becomes fair when you miss not one but both your children's births, when you've missed all of Asher's and most of Mya's birthday parties and fail to show up for anything but a day around Christmas."
"Alright then. I guess I should be on my way." Charles stood and walked to the door. "Just so you know Mr. Thatcher, you'll be seeing a lot more of me."
"Wonderful," William sighed as the door closed.
….
Later that night once the kids were in bed Elizabeth sat down in the living room with her book, hoping for a message from Jack.
Her phone vibrated with a call but to her disappointment, it wasn't Jack on the other end.
"Hello?"
"Hello, Elizabeth."
"Charles… everything okay?" her chest tightened at the sound of his voice. It wasn't like him to call. Almost all their communication was via email these days. She couldn't even remember the last time she'd heard his voice. Christmas maybe.
"Yes, everything's fine. I'm in town for business."
"Oh."
The was a long pause. Making the awkward situation even more so.
"How are the kids?"
"They're good. Did you want to see them?"
"I… I don't know."
She rolled her eyes. "Why are you calling Charles?"
"Can we meet?"
"Why?"
"There's something I'd like to discuss with you."
"I guess," she sighed. "Can you come out this way?"
They decided to meet at Abigail's cafe. Elizabeth had no desire to drive into the city for this and hoped the familiar surroundings would give her the peace and strength she needed to deal with whatever was going on.
When she got off the phone she just sat there, trying to remind herself to breathe. She still had no idea what he wanted.
She picked up her phone texting Abigail about what had just happened. Not long after, there was a knock on her door.
"Abigail! What are you doing here?"
"This seemed like a good reason for a visit." She hugged her friend tightly. "Are you ok?"
"I guess," she said releasing a few tears. "What does he want Abigail? I can't even imagine…"
"Do you think it's about the kids?"
"I'd imagine so. I mean, I've wanted him to be a part of their lives for so long. He's their father for crying out loud. But…"
"Why now?"
"Yes! We have our life here and it's good and I just don't..." she sighed, completely overwhelmed.
"You've never had to share them, have you?"
"No. Not really."
The two sat on the couch talking for about a half hour when Elizabeth's phone beeped with a text.
"It's Jack." Elizabeth stared wide eyed.
"Go ahead. I'll make us some more tea."
"Are you sure?"
"Of course. Take your time."
Elizabeth took her phone out on the back deck to call Jack. He answered right away.
"Hey babe!"
"Hi Jack."
"Sorry to text so late. We didn't get back in till much later than expected."
"That's fine." She was failing miserably at acting normal. Jack picked up on it right away.
"Something wrong?"
Elizabeth wanted so much to say "no". Not wanting to bring Jack into this mess. She knew however if this relationship was going to work that honesty was key.
"Charles called today."
"Elizabeth… you okay?"
She explained that she was meeting him and that she wasn't sure what he wanted from her. It broke Jack's heart to be unable to get to her at the moment. He wanted to offer to go with her, but knew he couldn't leave his guard duty to do so and he wasn't really sure it would even help matters. He was thankful at least that Abigail was going to be there for her.
"Abigail's here now, but I have time. Tell me something?"
"Like what?"
"Something good." She curled her legs up under her on the deck chair, happy to be hearing Jack's calming voice.
He smiled. She'd given him the perfect opportunity to tell her something that was on his heart.
"I was thinking today about how from now on, I'll look back and see signing up to be your classes penpal as one of the best decision I ever made."
"Really?" she gushed.
"Yup. It lead me to you."
Her eyes filled with tears, but unlike the tears from earlier, these were tears of joy.
"Did you just make that up to make me feel better?" she laughed.
"Nope. You said you tell you something good so I figured…"
"It was perfect Jack, really." She released a sigh. "Why didn't I meet you years ago?" she laughed.
"I don't know, but I'm here now. Don't forget that."
"I won't."
"I should let you get back to Abigail. I'll see you soon okay?"
"Okay. Goodnight Jack."
"Goodnight Elizabeth." He put down his phone and went to talk with his superiors.
