Disclaimer: I do not own the characters within this story. All rights and much respect go to Crown Media, Hallmark, Brian Bird, Michael Landon, Jr., the actors, creators, and writers of the show "When Calls the Heart."

Chapter 21- I Love You Completely

**Steam Alert**

Elizabeth looked at her watch and realized that it was now 3:10. Her attention was drawn to the hallway as she began to observe the masses heading to the main office to check out for the day. She gathered her bag, jacket and phone and headed out of her classroom.

She waited in line to sign out and then headed for the parking lot. She scanned the area and observed an unfamiliar red Toyota Camry parked up front. She cautiously approached and the driver rolled down her window.

"Are you Elizabeth Thatcher?" Terri Ann Mobley asked.

"Yes, and no," Elizabeth smiled, as she observed a confused look covering Ms. Mobley's face. "I am Elizabeth Thatcher, but I just got married, so it's Elizabeth Thornton now.

Terri Ann shuffled a few files from the front seat into the back and opened the door for Elizabeth. "Is Starbuck's on Independence Blvd. okay?"

"That's fine," Elizabeth replied.

As she opened the door, she saw a man sitting in the back seat.

"Oh, don't mind Nathan. He's my cameraman," Terri Ann explained. "I'd like to get some pictures during the interview."

"I guess that will be okay," she commented.

They reached Starbuck's, obtained their coffee and took a seat away from the few patrons sitting at a table by the door.

Elizabeth felt her phone vibrate indicating a text. She pulled her phone from her purse and glanced at the screen…

"I love u. Since u have a ride home, I'll stay and finish some work. I'll bring Chinese 4 dinner. I miss u and wish we were still n the mtns. 2…"

Without thinking, Elizabeth smiled brightly as she shut off her phone and stuck it back in her purse.

"What put that smile on your face?" Terri Ann asked.

"Just a message from my husband," Elizabeth's smile quickly faded as she remembered the task at hand.

Terri Ann sat a tape recorder on the table, but before pushing the record button, she asked Elizabeth's permission.

"That's fine. I want to make certain that what I say is what you hear. But I do have one request," Elizabeth stated firmly.

Terri Ann shut the recorder back off and asked, "What is your request?"

"I don't want any questions about my husband. He has nothing to do with what happened other than being supportive, and understanding. Agreed?" Elizabeth asked.

"I need to ask the questions, but if it is sensitive, or you don't want to answer it, just let me know," Terri Ann replied.

"Okay, that's fair," Elizabeth replied.

Terri Ann turned on the tape recorder, "Okay, first I'd like to know when you met Carson Shepherd?"

"We met last year and dated about seven or eight months with a little bit of a break in the middle," Elizabeth responded.

"How was your relationship in the beginning?" Terri Ann inquired.

Elizabeth took a sip from her coffee cup, "I think it was typical; both of us were on our best behavior. You know, like a honeymoon period."

"When did things change?" Terri Ann asked.

"There was never any physical abuse until…" Elizabeth glanced away, but quickly returned her eyes to Terri Ann. "Until that night. He was sweet, and considerate, but…"

"But what, Elizabeth?" She asked.

"He was somewhat controlling and started following me, stalking me," Elizabeth stated, her voice suddenly a bit shaky.

"How can he stalk you if you two are dating? Were you dating both men at the same time?"

"Excuse me? I told you that my husband is off limits. I will tell you this and then no more about my husband," Elizabeth stated sternly.

"Jack is a good man. He's kind, considerate, and thoughtful. He has never expected me to be anything but myself. He doesn't try to push me into things that I don't want to do, or find to be uncomfortable." She released a harsh breath, "I have known Jack for half of my life, and I've loved him for a like amount of time. I was never more than a friend to Carson, although he expected more. I ended my relationship with him before Jack and I reconnected again romantically."

"Does your husband blame you?" Terri Ann asked.

"Blame me for what?" Elizabeth's head tilted, and her brow furrowed.

Terri Ann boldly replied, "Well, you were involved with him; I would assume that maybe your husband would feel that you led him on."

"You know, maybe this was a bad idea. I just want to get the word out about abuse. My life with my husband is not part of this. I've told you, he is a wonderful man, and no, he has never blamed me." Elizabeth got up from her seat and walked over to the window. Terri Ann followed and stood beside her.

"What's wrong?" Terri Ann asked.

"Are you serious? It's your attitude, and frankly I'm surprised that it comes from a woman," Elizabeth said sternly.

"Please sit down and talk to me. I want to know what you have to say. There's someone out there that needs to hear what you have to say" Terri Ann stepped aside, encouraging Elizabeth to return to her seat.

Elizabeth vacillated between continuing the interview and walking out. She closed her eyes, picturing Jack standing beside her, holding her hand, giving her strength.

Terri Ann continued, "What did I say that bothers you?"

"How can you say that he couldn't stalk me if we're dating? We were dating; he didn't own me, and I was free to end the relationship just as he would have been," Elizabeth explained.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend you," Terri Ann stated, wondering if making Elizabeth angry would make a more powerful story or something that would not be worth the airtime.

"No, you didn't. I just think people need to realize that there is abuse in all forms. The physical abuse is what we see, but emotional and mental abuse leaves scars so deep, and they aren't visible to the naked eye," Elizabeth explained.

"May I ask, that black eye, did that…?" Terri Ann hesitated slightly.

Elizabeth placed her fingers gently on her cheek, "I wouldn't do what he wanted so he hit me."

"May I ask what he wanted you to do?" Terri Ann asked, not knowing the answer, but assuming the worst.

"He wanted me to fly to Las Vegas to get married, and I refused," Elizabeth admitted.

Realizing the story that she had before her had the potential to break ground for her, she remarked, "It's a bit busy in here now." Terri Ann looked around and found most of the tables were now occupied. "Would you mind going to the park down the street so we could do a little filming of the segment?" She asked, hoping for a bit of privacy.

"That's fine," Elizabeth stated as she stood, grabbed her coffee, her purse and followed Terri Ann and Nathan to the car.

They arrived at the park and headed for the picnic area. Finding the area empty, Nathan sat up his camera and prepared to shoot.

"Ms. Mobley…"

"Please call me Terri Ann."

"I'm a little uncomfortable about this," Elizabeth stated.

"Ms. Thatcher…" Terri Ann blurted out.

"It's Mrs. Thornton now," Elizabeth corrected her.

"I apologize. We are well aware of the fact that Mr. Shepherd was killed. Given what you have told me, you are the victim, and your words may very well help someone else in your situation," she stated as she told Nathan to cut the feed. "Please just say what happened."

As Nathan directed the camera in Elizabeth's direction, Terri Ann began, "Good evening, Carrie. I have an exclusive interview with a woman regarding the recent death of her abuser, and issues regarding that abuse…"

"Thank you, Terri Ann. We will be right back with you after this commercial break," Carrie Samuels, co-anchor of the evening news advised.

Back at FBI Headquarters, Jack walked into the lounge for a cup of coffee. He stood at the counter with his back to the tables and the TV set thinking about how much he missed his new wife. He poured a cup of coffee and smiled as he listened to several new agents talking…

"WOW, she's beautiful. Someone beat her up…?"

"I'd have a hard time not taking care of him myself if he had done that to my girlfriend or sister. Hell, I'd want to kill him if he put his hands on any woman I know…"

"I wish I could find someone like her, strong and beautiful…"

"She's hot. Even with a black eye. I think I could hit it off with her…"

"Jason, she wouldn't want you. She's more Jack's type. Right, Jack?" Bradley stated as the TV station faded to a commercial break.

Jack turned around, "What are you guys talking about?"

"Hey, we heard some talk around the office that you just got married. Is that true?" Bradley asked.

Jack took his cup and stood at the table with several agents that he hadn't seen in a while and a few new recruits, "Yes, it's true. Maybe one day you guys will be so lucky."

Several commercials played on the TV as Jack and the men talked.

"Well, I'm going back to finish up a few things in my office before I head home," Jack stated.

"Wait Jack, You won't believe this story on the news. It's sad; she's so beautiful and some guy beat her up," Bradley remarked. "It's guys like that that give us good ones a bad name. Of course then you have guys like Jason who think all women want him," Bradley commented to which all of the men but Jason and Jack laughed.

Finding that storyline too close to home, Jack excused himself as he washed out his coffee cup and headed for the door.

Back in the park, Nathan restarted the camera, as a clip of the upcoming segment graced the corner of the TV screen in the FBI lounge. Jack caught a glimpse of Elizabeth's face and was unable to move.

"Beautiful, huh?" One of the agents stated.

"See Jack, can you imagine someone slapping her around? It's awful, but she stood up for herself. Good for her," another agent remarked.

"We're live? You didn't say anything about going live. I don't know about that," Elizabeth stated.

Terri Ann began to appeal to her empathetic side, "Elizabeth, you have a valuable story to tell. You may be able to help someone out there who is listening. Just think of others; I'm sure you want to help others, right?"

Before Elizabeth had time to think, the light on the camera came on and Terri Ann began to introduce the segment. Elizabeth took a deep breath and told herself to listen to her heart, and speak from what's inside.

"This is Elizabeth, and she has agreed to talk with us about the growing issue of abuse. Those who have been following our story about the death of Carson Shepherd will be interested to know that Elizabeth was tired of being a victim and took matters into her own hands…" she stated as she stuck the microphone in Elizabeth's face.

"She's not a victim," Jack stated under his breath as he found himself unable to turn away from the TV screen.

Elizabeth was initially stunned, unable to speak until she took a deep breath and listened to her heart. "Terri Ann, I don't consider myself a victim. To do so implies that I don't have the ability to stand up for myself. I am not an advocate of violence," she stated as her eyes began to water.

Her heart was pounding out of her chest but she continued, "I am sorry that our relationship came to this violent end, but I am certain that if I had not protected myself, that I would not be here now. However, that doesn't negate the fact that a man lost his life and I wish that it hadn't come to that."

The sound of children playing in the field near her caught Elizabeth's attention as she looked away but was quickly drawn back into the interview. "I think it's important for each person, man or woman, to realize that they should never lose their identity to another person. Each of us is worthy of respect; we are each valuable, and we should never be fearful in any relationship, whether it be with family, friends, or as a couple."

Terri Ann looked into the camera and began to talk, effectively closing out the segment.

"She needs a real man. I'll have to look her up. You know the joke…being FBI agents, we can even find out a woman's bra size. Hmm," he smiled and looked off in the distance, "I could make her forget that guy," Jason initially laughed thinking the other men would find his comment funny.

Jack turned around and approached Jason. Before anyone realized what was happening, Jack grabbed Jason's shirt and pulled him from his chair.

"That strong woman that you found so easy to make disrespectful remarks about happens to be my wife," Jack stated angrily as he released Jason's shirt but found it hard to unclench his fists.

"Oh Jack, I'm sorry. I just talk a good game, I meant nothing by it," Jason remarked as Bradley stepped in between them. Jason unfortunately continued, "I never thought you'd get married, but now I understand why. She's beautiful, and you have always been one for the underdog."

Just as quickly as the statement was made, Jason found himself on the floor shaking his head. "You hit me, why? I said I was sorry."

Jack shook his hand as a trickle of blood ran down his finger. "Elizabeth is my wife. She is not just some hot chick, a victim, or the underdog. She is a beautiful woman, inside and out, and don't ever let me hear you speak disrespectfully about her again. Have I made myself clear?"

"Crystal," Jason stated as he used a chair to pull himself up from the floor. "Jack, I'm sorry. I hope you can forgive me," Jason held out his hand as Jack walked past and out the door.

Back at the park Terri Ann and Nathan gathered the camera and wound up the microphone cord before turning to Elizabeth to thank her.

"Terri Ann, you said nothing about this being on the news. I assumed it was a newspaper article," Elizabeth stated as she powerfully made her feelings known. "You said Nathan was your cameraman, but I assumed he was a photographer until you removed that state of the art video camera from the trunk."

"What did you think I meant when I said that I would obscure your picture?" Terri Ann asked.

Elizabeth could see the smug look on Terri Ann's face as she was pleased with the story she was able to ascertain, "I don't know what I expected, but you provided me with your own form of abuse. I felt pushed to follow through, as you tried to put words in my mouth."

"I'm sorry that you feel that I wasn't upfront with you. I assumed that you knew who I was, and that I was an on air reporter for WKTV," Terri Ann replied. "If it helps, I think it was powerful and I'm sure your message reached a lot of people."

"I don't watch that channel, but that's the only reason that I won't make an issue of my experience. If what I said helps one person, then my embarrassment was well worth it," Elizabeth sternly replied.

"Are you ready to go?" Terri Ann asked.

"You go ahead. I'll get another ride home," Elizabeth responded.

"Are you sure? I mean, I promised," Terri Ann stated as she and Nathan started toward her car.

"May I ask you a question?" Elizabeth felt a nagging feeling in her stomach, and hated the idea of being taken advantage of.

"Certainly…what is it?" Terri Ann replied.

"If this was for a video news report, why use the tape recorder?" She asked.

"Elizabeth, our station has TV and print news and it may be used for a newspaper article," Terri Ann responded. "You gave your permission, so I hope you don't want to change your mind."

Elizabeth looked at the engagement and wedding rings on her left hand and her breathing suddenly calmed. "I don't appreciate how you went about it, and I don't like the fact that you tried to portray me as a victim. But my story is important."

Elizabeth put the strap of her bag over her shoulder, "What happened to me takes place all too often, and a light needs to shine on this problem. People need to realize how widely abuse runs, and that often those you don't suspect are abusers or are being abused."

She took a deep breath before continuing, "I want my story told, but it has to be the truth. Can you promise me that?"

Terri Ann stopped walking and turned back toward Elizabeth, "I admire you. You are stronger than you know, and I'm sure that what you said tonight is going to help someone. You may never see it, or realize it, but your words will be instrumental in helping someone."

Elizabeth smiled apprehensively.

"I promise that your story will get the attention it requires, and it will be treated with the respect that it deserves," Terri Ann replied; a statement that Elizabeth accepted cautiously.

Elizabeth watched Terri Ann and Nathan drive away before she pulled her journal and cell phone from her bag. She checked her phone and found multiple texts from Jack…

"Are u ok…?"

"Where r u…?"

"Elizabeth… please respond…"

Elizabeth dialed his number…

"Jack, I'm sorry the sound was down on my…" she was unable to finish her explanation before he began with his questioning.

"Elizabeth, I dropped you off at school this morning. You didn't say anything about this, and then I see you on TV? What happened?" He kept rattling off questions.

"Well Jack, I didn't intend…"

"No, wait…I'm leaving work now. Where are you? We'll talk when I get there," he stated as she advised him that she was at Lake Shores Park.

She hung up the phone suddenly feeling nervous and concerned that she had disappointed Jack in some way. She sat on the top of a picnic table with her feet on the bench as she looked out onto the water and observed the ducks and geese gliding across the ripple covered surface of the lake.

She opened her journal, and flipped through the ever increasing number of entries before reaching a blank page. She looked upward, thankful for the beautiful blue cloudless sky, the sunshine and the uncharacteristically warm temperatures. She closed her eyes momentarily, blocking out the sounds of nature as she put her thoughts in order…

"From the time I was little, I was encouraged to think for myself, work through my problems, and to be an individual. I was raised to have self worth, to be kind to others, and to strive to make a difference in the world.

Like others, I have endured pain, physical, mental and emotional. I have been broken and came close to losing myself. But I am determined; I am still standing, and doing my best to move forward. I will never forget the harsh lessons that were once my reality, for they have made me a much stronger person.

Our lives consist of chapters, adventures and experiences, all of which take us on this amazing journey called life. As we move through each phase, we encounter people, both good and bad, all of whom are destined to be added to our pilgrimage. Although each person is meant to hold a place in this odyssey of ours, not everyone is destined to stay until the end.

We pray for peace and search for happiness. The joy in my life is within my own grasp. It's a personal quest and the key to which should never be placed in the hands of another. Stop wishing for the weekend, the warm sunny days of summer, or the love of your life. Stop assuming that you must seek happiness. Relax, be satisfied and make the most of the moment you are in. Happiness will then surely find you."

She glanced toward the road and observed Jack pull up to the curb, park and exit his truck. Suddenly she felt nervous. Although she knew that he didn't run her life, she was married now, and realized that she should discuss things with him, this interview being one of them.

Jack grabbed a jacket from the truck before heading over to the picnic table where Elizabeth was sitting.

Jack draped the jacket over her shoulders realizing that although it was warmer than normal, the sun was setting and there was a chill in the air.

"Why did you do it?" He asked.

"I'm sorry Jack. I'm not used to discussing my actions with anyone. I didn't mean to embarrass you," she replied as she suddenly felt a chill that had nothing to do with the outside temperature.

He approached her as his hand rested on the side of her face. "Is that what you think?" He asked.

"I'm sorry. I didn't think about how my story might impact you with your friends and colleagues," she stated as his lips met hers effectively quieting her.

"I am so proud of you, Elizabeth," he whispered as his thumb brushed away a tear that slid down her cheek. He barely finished his compliment before his lips met hers again. "You are a very strong woman."

She tenderly placed her hand over his, but observed him flinch, "What's wrong?" She asked before pulling his hand away and noticing a split in the skin covering his knuckles. "Jack, what happened?"

Jack took a seat beside Elizabeth on the picnic table. He smiled warmly before answering, "Just a misunderstanding."

"A misunderstanding? With whom?" She asked.

"It was just something at work. It's not worth you worrying about," he advised.

"Jack was it over me; over what I did?" She asked but could tell that he didn't want to respond. "Please tell me, Jack."

"It was with another agent. He made a comment about you not realizing that we were married," he finally admitted.

Elizabeth pulled his hand up to her lips and gently kissed his knuckles, "Jack, I can't run from the ugly comments. I did pull the trigger, and he is dead as a result, but…"

"That wasn't the comment he made," Jack responded. "Just forget it."

"Jack, what did he say that upset you so much? You know that you wouldn't let it slide if the roles were reversed, so spill it!" She remarked.

Jack released a harsh breath, "He said that you needed a real man and that he could make you forget Carson."

Elizabeth couldn't help but laugh.

"It's not funny. I hit him and knocked him to the floor," Jack replied.

She smiled, "Hmm, my handsome, kind, strong, sexy, delectable, gorgeous, jealous husband; did I say sexy?" She softly ran her fingers through his hair.

"You did, but it bears repeating," he stated as she leaned into his chest. He wrapped his arm around her and pulled her close.

He kissed the top of her head, "I'm so proud of you, Elizabeth." He leaned back slightly and turned to face her as his hands lightly brushed down her arms from her shoulders to her elbows. "Let me take you to dinner and when we get home you can tell me again how sexy you think I am."

Elizabeth released a breath through her nose that came across as a soft laugh, "I have a better idea." She stepped down from the picnic table and took his hand. "What do you say we forego dinner, head home and I'll show you just how sexy I think you are?"

"Mrs. Thornton, I love your way of thinking," He stated as they rushed to his truck, jumped inside and headed home.

Luckily for Jack they hit every green light heading down Virginia Beach Blvd. Few words were spoken, they weren't really needed. Their hands touched as the electricity they felt tingled throughout their bodies.

They pulled into their driveway and before she knew it, he was at her door, and taking hold of her hand. As she stepped out of the truck, and they headed for the front door, the neighbor from across the street called out to Jack requesting his help.

"I'll be back soon…very soon," Jack stated as he sprinted across the street.

Elizabeth stood on the porch and watched as Jack climbed the ladder for their elderly neighbor and proceeded to fix the guttering that had separated from the roof. She slipped inside, turned Onyx out back for a few minutes while she placed ice in a champagne bucket, grabbed a bottle of wine and two glasses.

She turned Onyx back inside and headed upstairs with the wine and glasses. Elizabeth glanced out the window and observed Jack still on the ladder with Mr. Ramsay steadying it from the ground.

She pulled a new negligee from her closet and slipped into the bathroom. It was white with lace around the bodice and hem in a lavender color. The garment even seemed crisper, cleaner against her skin which was tanned, thanks to the benefit of the local tanning salon. She ran a brush through her hair, spritzed a bit of perfume in the air, and then proceeded to walk though the mist.

Elizabeth walked back to the window and no longer seeing him on the ladder, she rushed to the bed, pulled back the covers and slipped inside. She lay on her right side facing the door as she rested her upper body up on her elbow. She kept messing with her negligee, wanting it to lay just right.

Wondering where he was, she glanced at the clock, and that was the last thought she remembered before laying back on her pillow.

Forty five minutes later, Jack opened the door to find Elizabeth sound asleep with her arms wrapped around his pillow and hugging it tightly to her chest. He took off his clothes and grabbed a pair of shorts from his dresser, slipped them on and slid into bed beside her.

He swept a few strands of brown curls away from her face and draped them behind her ear as he heard her take a deep breath and a soft moan slipped through her lips. Every part of him ached for her wanting desperately to feel her skin on his.

He caught a glimpse of the bruise on her face, fading but still noticeable. His heart broke at the fear she must have felt and the physical pain she endured in the moments leading up to the shooting.

His fingers gently stroked the soft skin on her face as he whispered, "There has never been a woman who has touched me as deeply as you. I'm so sorry that I wasn't there when you needed me," he released a frustrated breath.

He watched her seemingly so peaceful, as if she had no cares in the world. He wiped a single tear that slipped from the outside of his eye as he felt his chest tighten. "How could someone physically hurt her, and attempt to break her beautiful spirit," he thought.

He observed the silky skin on her face as it met with her plump, rosy, pillow soft lips, and he continued, "I promise that I will always be here to listen to you; to laugh with you; to cry with you, but always to love you."

He laid back and as if by instinct, Elizabeth released the pillow, and snuggled up to his chest as she felt comforted in the quiet strength of his loving embrace. He kissed the top of her head, took a deep breath and settled in to go to sleep.

"What took you so long?" She asked in her slumbered state.

He smiled broadly, "You're awake?"

She propped her chin on his chest as she attempted to open her eyes, "I'm getting there. I missed you; what took you so long?"

He smiled at the amazing person before him. She kept blowing a single curl out of her eyes before he swept it behind her ear with his fingers. "Mr. Ramsay needed help with the guttering on his house. I'm sorry; I wanted to get back to you, but we started talking and I couldn't leave him."

"Why," She asked.

"He reminds me of me," Jack responded. "He was married for 57 years to the love of his life."

Elizabeth observed his eyes tearing as he continued.

"She passed away last month and I think he feels lost. I went inside and had a cup of coffee with him and…just listening to him speak of her, he misses her so much," Jack stated as Elizabeth reached up and wiped the tears that refused to remain concealed.

"I love you so much, Elizabeth. Always know that, and please never doubt it or me. I can't imagine my life without you; I don't want a life without you," he cradled her face in his hands, bringing her lips to his.

They separated slightly only to return as each kiss built on the intensity of the one before. He wanted her, of that there was no question. Her touch on his body brought about a dangerous burning, a warming of his blood as a fire quickly grew inside him. Like an addict, he craved her, needed her, and would always want her.

She was so close, pressed firmly against him as the heat from her body swallowed him. He felt the soft skin on her leg as his hand moved upward, rolling the hem of her negligee between his thumb and fore finger.

Her skin tingled as his hand brushed across her abdomen. He pulled her negligee over her head and dropped it on the floor joining his shorts in a pile. Sensations of warmth swept over her as his fingers gently brushed across her body.

His hand behind her head brought her closer as his lips met hers; a kiss that was deep and slow, causing her head to pound as her body melted into his. He wrapped his arms around her as he rolled over her, straddling her hips.

Her hands captured his shoulders as she could feel his muscles shudder. He whispered, "I love you," as his lips trailed from her ear down her neck and across her shoulder blade.

They held each other tightly, desperately; their bodies entwined, so close that there was no space between them. Her touch on his body brought about soft breathless moans which passed through his lips as the passion of his kisses intensified.

His body encased her as they each felt the warmth that passed between them. Jack collapsed beside her as she took her spot of safety resting on his chest, and each one attempted to gain control of their breathing.

She kissed his chest and released breathlessly, "I love you so much, Jack."

He cradled her face in his hands and responded, "I love you too." He was mesmerized as he looked into her eyes, but saw deep into her soul. She was his, and in his heart he would forever be hers.

They drifted off to sleep wrapped securely in the love of each other.

Early the next morning Elizabeth heard Onyx bark. She slipped out from under his arm and slid out of bed, wrapping herself up in a robe before stepping out into the hallway. At the bottom of the stairs, Onyx danced and ran to the back door.

"You need to go outside girl?" Elizabeth asked as she made her way down the stairs. She opened the back door and watched as Onyx slipped out into the yard. "Don't go anywhere," Elizabeth reminded her.

Elizabeth fixed herself a cup of coffee from the Keurig machine that was left on the counter. She grabbed her journal from her bag, sat her coffee on the table, and observed Onyx sniffing around in the yard.

She opened her journal, and her mind drifted to Mr. Ramsay across the street. He had the love of his life for more than fifty years, and she felt the knot in her stomach and the ache in her heart as she assumed how lost he must now feel. She flipped to the next blank page as she pulled her pen out and began to convey her feelings onto the paper…

"Love and loss, each one contains four letters; each one means something so different, yet to have one, you will at some time most definitely feel the other. To love completely is to feel so many emotions at once, joy, blessed, hope, excitement, thankful and peace just to name a few. However to feel loss also conjures up some of the same feelings.

I remember the wise words of my father who once told me that the only way to keep from experiencing heartache is to close yourself off, refusing to open up to new feelings or emotions. But in doing so, isn't that its own heartache? Isn't it better to experience the joy, hope, excitement and love of another, even if we risk the loss? Isn't a life without love its own kind of loss?

To experience such complete love will make you blessed beyond measure. To know such joy and excitement of such a deep and abiding love will eventually bring peace as you realize that you laid your cards on the table, gave everything you had and experienced the most extraordinary gift of all…Love!"

Elizabeth closed her journal and left it sitting on the table as she walked toward the door. She stepped outside and found Onyx sleeping on the patio. Sensing the emotions flowing through Elizabeth, Onyx carefully stood by her side as they walked toward the water.

Elizabeth stood near the water saying a prayer for Mr. Ramsay that he may find the peace that the love for his wife deserves. She felt Jack's arms wrap around her and pull her toward his body.

"Are you okay?" He whispered as he turned her around to face him. "What's wrong?" He asked as he saw sadness in her eyes.

She attempted to smile, "I was just thinking of Mr. Ramsay; how lucky he is."

"Lucky?" He asked.

"Jack, he loved one woman for over fifty years, and she loved him back. Not everyone finds such complete love. He was lucky," she stated as her eyes drifted downward.

Jack's finger under her chin lifted her eyes to his, "We're lucky too. We found it with each other, not once, but twice."

To be continued…