December 15

Jack left the jewelry store on his lunch break with his anniversary gift for Elizabeth. They were going to celebrate early because he had the night off and already knew he had to work on the 26th, their actual anniversary.

After work, he would pick up a bouquet of flowers and then head home for a much needed night in with his gorgeous Beth.

They found that dates at home were ten times more important than going out even if all they did was sit on the couch and discuss life and decisions they needed to make. It brought them together in a quiet environment where they could talk about anything.

When he walked back into the station, Rick called him in his office. The last eleven months of being mentored by Rick had been eye opening, to say the least. It made Jack realize he was definitely in the right profession but he absolutely did not want to be a state trooper.

So, he and Beth had seriously talked multiple times about moving away from LA and they had decided he should apply for positions in smaller towns.

"Jack," Rick said, shaking his hand. "I'll cut to the chase. I've been contacted by the Sheriff in Silver Pines."

Jack nodded. He had applied for the deputy position the week before and had cleared it with Rick to use him as a reference.

"I gave him a letter of recommendation. He said he will be contacting you to set up interviews."

"Thank you, sir. I appreciate that."

"Ok, that's all I have. You are off at 4pm right?"

"Yes. We are celebrating our anniversary a bit early."

"Nice. That 1st anniversary is a big one."

"How's Hanna, sir? And the little one?"

Hanna had given birth the month before to their first child, Henry. Jack had to admit he was adorable and it made him wish for his own son.

"Good. Doing very well."

"That's good. Well, I'm going to go do that report."

Rick nodded and dismissed Jack.

….

Beth turned off the lights and lit candles in the bedroom. She had made steak tenderloin with seared scallops and asparagus. It smelled amazing if she said so herself.

It was just about time for Jack to get home so she slipped into her new pink satin and lace above the knee slip that was doubling as a nightgown. Then she put on her matching robe and sat down on the bed.

Then she heard the door open and her heart sped up. He was going to walk in the room any second…

"Hey," he said, a smile on his face when he saw her. "Happy Anniversary, beautiful."

She stood and walked over to kiss him. "Happy Anniversary. I hope you're hungry."

"Starving actually." He held her close for a moment, breathing her in, loving how she felt in his arms. How lucky was he? "You look amazing." She smiled up at him and then kissed his cheek.

"So do you. There's nothing like my man in uniform."

He stepped back and removed his weapon, securing it in the safe and then removed his uniform shirt and lead vest, leaving just a light gray t-shirt and his pants.

She handed him his plate and sat back down.

He grabbed her hand and bowed his head to say the blessing. "Dear God, thank you for our many blessings, for my beautiful Beth and our life together. Thank you for this food and our families and for keeping me safe. Through Jesus name, Amen."

She looked up at him and smiled. "That was a very sweet prayer."

"I meant every word. I know that I wouldn't have you without Him. I'm thankful everyday for you, Beth." He took a bite of steak and almost groaned. "Oh my, this is amazing."

"Thank you, sweetie. I'm glad you like it."

"So I guess the Sherriff in Silver Pines contacted Rick today."

She paused, her fork halfway to her mouth. "Really?"

"Yeah. Rick sent him a letter of recommendation and the Sherriff said he would contact me to set up interviews."

"That's great! Wow."

"Yeah."

"I've been looking at houses. Just to see what there is in that area."

"Did you find anything?"

"Yeah. I can show you later if you want."

"Maybe tomorrow. I have plans for us later," he flirted.

"Oh yeah? What kind of plans?"

"Maybe a Jacuzzi, maybe sit by the fire with some wine. Then you can open your gift."

"You got me a gift?"

"I did."

"I got you one too."

A while later, they were on the couch planning. Beth was excited that Christmas was coming up very soon and they were going to celebrate it in their very own home, together. Jack was just happy to have the night off with Beth and since he didn't need to work the next day until evening, they were going to go pick out a tree and decorate it.

Beth lay with her upper body across his lap, his hand clasped in hers. "Just think, hon. Next year by this time, we may have a baby."

"True. You never know."

"I know you have to work but I would like to see our families at Christmas."

"But if you're there, you won't be here. I wanted to at least be here with you on Christmas morning and on our actual anniversary."

"I'll just go for a few hours on Christmas Eve. I'll only be gone while you are at work."

"I wish I could go too. I miss everyone."

"I know you do. I'm glad your parents came up a few weeks back."

"Me too."

"Honey, this has been a great night."

"Is there a but coming?"

"No, just a, let's go to bed."

….

The next day was great too. They went out for breakfast, picked out a tree, decorated it, and relaxed until he needed to go to work. Once he was gone, she got to work on her Christmas present for him. Their conversation the night before told her it was as simple as getting everyone to LA to visit around the holiday.

First she called his parents. "Tom?"

"Beth. Hi, sweetheart. How are you?"

"Just fine. How are you and Charlotte?"

"She's got a cold right now, but otherwise fine."

"That's good. Hey, I called because I wondered if you both wanted to help me with Jack's Christmas present."

"How can we help?"

"He misses everyone so much, so I was hoping you would be able to come visit on the night of the 23rd? You could stay in the guest room."

"That is a great idea. I don't see why we can't."

"Thank you! I'll see you then."

Next she called his brother. "Hey, Beth!"

She could hear Lane cooing and gurgling in the background. "Hi! How are you? How's Lane?"

"He's great. So am I. How could I not be?"

"Right. Me too actually. But the reason I called is that I want to invite you and Julie and Lane here for lunch on Christmas Eve. Jack is really missing everyone so I thought I'd gift him his family for Christmas."

"That's great, Beth. I think we could do that."

"That's so amazing. See you at noon on the 24th?

Finally she asked her parents to come for Christmas dinner with all the trimmings and her present was complete. She would go shopping for the meals a few days before.

…

Beth shopped for groceries after class got out on the 21st. She bought a turkey for Christmas dinner, a ham for the dinner on the 23rd with his parents and a chicken to roast for the lunch with Tom and Julie. Then she picked up side dishes for each meal and a bottle of wine for each dinner.

When she arrived home, she was happy that she had beat him home so she wouldn't need to explain all the food.

Thankfully he didn't notice anything amiss or at least he didn't say anything.

On the 23rd, about three in the afternoon, she slid the ham in the oven and worked on the potatoes and green beans casserole.

At five, he returned home to a very yummy smelling dinner.

"Beth?"

"Hey, sweetie." She rushed into the kitchen, wearing what she hoped looked good but was casual enough not to raise his suspicions.

"It smells amazing in here."

"Ham, scalloped potatoes and green beans for dinner. Hope you're hungry."

"Starved."

"Good. Why don't you go shower and by the time you get out, it will be ready to eat." And his parents would be there too, but she left that part out.

He looked at her for a moment, squinting his eyes. "Babe?"

"Yeah?"

"What are you up to?"

"Making dinner, why?"

"Hm. Ok, I'll go shower." He walked over and gave her a kiss. "I still think you are up to something."

She gave him a look that she hoped came across as innocent. He turned and left the room and headed down the hall.

"What do you think, Jazzy? Think he bought it?" she asked the cat.

About ten minutes later, his parents knocked and she let them in. "Hi! He's showering but should be out soon."

They nodded and handed her two gifts for under the tree. "For you and Jack."

"Oh you didn't need to do that. Thank you so much!"

When he walked out, everything seemed normal except the two extra people that were standing in his living room. "Ma? Dad! Oh my goodness. Beth! I knew you were up to something."

Beth laughed and watched as he embraced his parents, tears forming in his eyes. That made it worth it.

He walked over to her and pulled her into his arms. "Beth, thank you."

"Merry Christmas, baby. I love you."

"I love you." He kissed her, forgetting for a moment they weren't alone until Tom cleared his throat. He stepped back and smiled.

"I don't know about you but that ham looks mighty delicious," Tom told them.

So they sat and said a blessing, passing the dishes until their plates were full.

"I can't believe you guys are here. I've missed you."

Charlotte grabbed his hand. "Son, the feeling is mutual but I want you to know how proud we are of you. You are such a wonderful man, taking care of Beth and doing such a dangerous, but important job. I worry about you daily, but I also pray for you, that you'll be safe."

"Thanks, Ma."

"I'm proud of you too," Beth told him. "You have been so patient with me this past year and you've worked very hard, with hardly a complaint."

"I'm doing this for you, Beth. I want to provide the best I can for you and our family."

"I know. Thank you for that," she said, kissing him. "You're a wonderful husband and you'll be a wonderful father."

Charlotte looked at Tom and raised an eyebrow. "Are you two saying that you have a baby on the way?"

Beth blushed. "No, but hopefully soon."

"That's great! More grandbabies is a good thing for us," Charlotte said.

Beth looked very much forward to that as well, and hopefully, Jamaica would help that along for them.

….

The next day, Tom, Julie, and Lane surprised Jack when they arrived for lunch. Once they left, Beth watched Jack get ready for work. He was working 3pm to 3am so they were actually going to be able to be together Christmas morning.

They decided that rather than buy other gifts, Beth's gift of the family visiting and Jack's gift of Jamaica would be it.

"I can't believe you surprised me twice with my family," he said, slipping his gun belt through his loops and securing it.

"I knew that you missed them."

"I did. Now the only ones I haven't seen are your parents." He turned and looked at her. "Any plans there, babe?"

"Maybe you'll just have to wait and see."

"Hm. Secretive?" He leaned down over her on the bed where she was sitting.
"Tell me," he whispered, kissing her slow and deep.

"No time for trying to convince me, Thornton," she said laughing, pushing against his chest. "You need to leave very soon."

"Maybe I can be late."

"No, you can't. Scoot, husband."

"Walk me to the door?"

She stood and walked behind him. All of the sudden, he turned and backed her against the wall, his hands on either side of her head, his lips centimeters from hers. "I could arrest you."

"Mm. Please do," she said, calling his bluff.

After a brief stare down that ended in another breathtaking kiss, he stepped back. "Later."

"Promise?" she stretched up and kissed him again, holding his hips tight. "I love you, Jack."

"Love you. See you soon."

…

At 3am, she woke up but to her phone ringing, not the door opening. "Hello?"

"Beth, its Rick."

"Rick? Why are you calling me?"

"Its about Jack."