A week later…..

Ben let go of his wife's hand as they pulled into Harris Town on the train. "Wake up, babe. We're home."

She opened her eyes and smiled. "Hey." He turned and smiled at her in return.

"You're pretty cute when you wake up," he told her.

"Mmhmm. So you say. However, I'm sure my hair needs to be brushed, I probably have soot on my face, and I'm really craving a bubble bath right now, after I use the bathroom."

"Still pretty cute, even when you complain." He leaned over and kissed her briefly.

"Sorry."

Even though the day long train ride was taxing, she looked forward to the next day when she and her mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, and sisters-in-law were going to bake all day for her grand opening the following day.

Tonight, she would cook a quiet, romantic dinner for her adorable husband and go to bed early. Before getting married, going to bed early had no appeal. Now, however, was a different story.

"What's that smile about?" he asked her.

"Nothin'," she said with a wink.

They stepped off the train and were met by Leesa and Travis. "Welcome home!" they said with a smile, rushing over to hug the newlyweds.

"Thank you," she said, returning their hugs. "You didn't need to meet us here."

"We are not here just to meet you. We are catching the train to Vancouver."

"So are we," Jack said as he and Elizabeth walked up, greeting them with more hugs.

"Oh, I thought you both were coming to help me bake tomorrow? I'm opening in two days."

"Well, Abigail said she would take my place," Elizabeth told her. "I'm sorry, sweetie."

"That's ok. Where are you four heading? Why Vancouver?"

"We're going to the orphanage," Travis told them. "We are going to adopt a child."

"You are?" Ben asked. "Wow, ok."

"So are we," Jack offered. "We are also going to see Caleb and Amy."

"ALL ABOARD!" the conductor announced.

"Oops, gotta go. See you in about a week," Elizabeth told Carlie. "Welcome home. I'm so proud of you, sweetheart."

"Thanks, Mama."

THE TRAIN COMPARTMENT

The couples decided to share a compartment to travel to Vancouver.

"Can you believe we're doing this?" Elizabeth asked, unable to hide her excitement.

"I'm nervous," Leesa told her. "What if they don't like that I'm black and Travis is white? What if they don't want us to adopt?"

"These children need parents. I would hate to think the people that run the orphanage could afford to be so picky about who can adopt."

Leesa looked out the window and tried to ignore the gut feeling that she would be coming home without a child. Travis walked up behind her and held her close. "If those people deny us, we can try somewhere else."

Jack slipped his arm around Elizabeth's shoulders. "Boy or girl?" he asked.

"I don't care. I just want to give a child love and a home. They deserve it."

He kissed her palm and then pulled her close. He didn't care either.

BACK IN HARRIS TOWN

Drew stopped by Ben and Carlie's saying the twins had colds and Carrie wouldn't be coming the next day either. Livy was needed to run the store with Ben so that left Carlie with only Abigail and her Grandma.

Carlie bought some food from the store and started cooking dinner, grateful they lived above the store.

"Smells good. What's for dinner?"

"Its called meatloaf. I found it in my new cookbook. I think you'll like it."

"I'm sure I will."

He stood at the counter and watched her cook, her sleeves rolled up, bare feet, and her shirt unbuttoned a bit. He'd had dinner with her before that she had cooked, but never had he had the immense pleasure of watching her prepare it. He was pretty sure he'd never seen anything so beautiful.

A piece of her blonde hair fell into her face as she cooked. She tried to blow it out of her face, but due to the heat from the summer and the stove, it stuck to her face.

"Ben? Can you get my hair tie from the top of our dresser, please? My hands are all goopy."

"Sure." He came back with it a moment later. "Ok, got it."

"Can you please tie my hair back off my neck?"

She made it sound easy but it seemed complicated when he had to do it. He used his fingers to gently move her hair away from her face. He loved her hair. It was so soft and today it smelled like peaches.

"Are you smelling my hair, babe?"

"Uh, yeah. It smells good."

She giggled. "Ok, I need to get the bread pan from the cupboard."

"I'll get it," he said, letting go of her hair, which immediately fell in her face.

"Uh, Ben? Can you tie my hair first?"

He came back over and attempted. She eventually told him not to worry about it and washed her hands so she could do it herself. He watched her pull it up above her neck.

He stepped close and kissed the nape of her neck, his breath giving her goosebumps. "I'm sweaty and gross, Ben."

"You are the opposite of gross, Carlie." Sweaty maybe, but so enticing he couldn't help himself. He spun her gently and his lips found hers, his fingers around her waist pulling her tight against him.

"Oh, Ben, give me five minutes and then…" he kissed her again. "Mmm wait. I can put this in the oven and then we will have an hour."

THE NEXT MORNING, VANCOUVER

The two couples went to breakfast and then checked in at their hotel. Their appointments at the orphanage weren't until ten o'clock so they had time.

The excitement level was high though. They found their hotel, checked in to their suites, and then hired a cab to drive them to the orphanage.

Jack and Elizabeth met with Patrick, and Travis and Leesa met with his associate, Robert.

"So, Mr. and Mrs. Thornton, what brings you here today? It says you have a large family already."

"Yes, sir," Jack began. "We have ten children, however, six are married with families of their own. We have always wanted a large family. We have the love to give those children who need it."

"What is your financial situation?"

"I was a Mountie and when I was injured, I was released with a monthly pension for life. We also receive a monthly inheritance and will continue to receive that for life as well. In addition, I am partner on a ranch which brings in a fair amount of money."

Patrick nodded. "How do you feel about children of mixed races?"

"We don't care, sir. Children deserve to be loved no matter what race they are."

"Are you partial to girls or boys? Do you prefer a certain age?"

Elizabeth spoke up. "No, sir. Either boy or girl is fine. We don't need a baby. An older child or children would be just fine."

"I have a brother and a sister that need placement. They are half Chinese but they speak English. Their parents worked at a railroad camp and were killed in an explosion about a month ago and unfortunately they were there when it happened."

"How old?" Elizabeth asked.

"The boy, Charlie, is three, and the girl, Lydia, is around two. They cry a lot and they are scared of loud noises."

"Can we meet them, please?" Jack asked.

"Yes. I'll take you to the play room. They should be in there right now."

THE OTHER CONFERENCE ROOM

Leesa was relieved. Robert didn't bat an eye that she was black. They went through the question portion of the interview and then finally got to specifics.

"What age child are you looking for, Mr. and Mrs. Harris?"

"A younger child, under five, would be good, but honestly, it doesn't matter."

"Does race make a difference to you? Would you prefer a certain race?"

"No. We don't care." Travis took her hand and squeezed, knowing they would be parents again very soon.

"There is a little girl that needs placement. She came to us from New York. Her parents took ill and passed a few years ago. She's five and she's white. She doesn't speak. We think she is capable but she refuses."

It sounded like a challenge, but Leesa was up for it. "Can we meet her?"

"Yes. Her name is Jade."

THE PLAY ROOM

Jack and Elizabeth sat on the floor about two feet from Charlie and Lydia. They sat next to each other, playing with blocks, not a peep of noise coming from them.

Elizabeth also noticed their expressions. They were tossing blocks and stacking but no smiles. No giggles. It worried her a bit. They definitely needed love and stability but they also needed fun.

"They're beautiful," Jack said in her ear. They had creamy, almost tan skin and beautiful, slanted brown eyes. Their hair was straight and black.

"They need us, Jack. They need to be loved."

When all was said and done, Jack and Elizabeth would return everyday for the next few days to get to know them and finalize the adoptions at the end of the week.

DOWN THE HALL

Leesa was surprised. The moment she sat down on the floor next to Jade, the tiny girl looked up at her and Travis and waved. Then she got up and sat on Leesa's lap as if she'd known her forever.

"Hi, Jade. I'm Leesa and this is Travis." Jade looked up at them but didn't say anything. "We live in Harris Town. You're from New York?"

This time Jade nodded. Leesa stroked Jade's hair and smiled. She had big blue eyes and curly blonde hair. She seemed to be very calm and accepting of them from the beginning.

Jade got up and grabbed a book and handed it to Travis.

"You want me to read to you?" Jade nodded. "Can you say please?" Jade just looked at him. "We will work on that later."

After spending a few hours with her, it came time to leave. Jade, however, didn't want them to go. She grabbed on to Leesa's neck and wrapped her legs around her waist and shook her head frantically.

"We will be back tomorrow, sweetie." When she loosened her hold, Leesa set her down. She had tears streaming down her face. "Don't cry, sweetie. I promise, we are coming back for you."

It was one of the hardest things she had ever done, leaving her behind. Leesa herself was in tears as they left the orphanage.

They walked back to the hotel, needing some fresh air. Travis held her hand as they walked. "She's ours, Trav. I can feel it."

"I know. Me too."

"I wish we could have taken her with us."

HARRIS TOWN, CARLIE'S CONFECTIONS

As Carlie waited for Abigail and Charlotte, she studied her recipes, very aware of her husband standing beside her, not two inches separating them.

"I could do a cheesecake. Ever had one?" She turned her head and looked at him.

"Nope. It sounds good, though."

"I need to make at least three different kinds of cookies, maybe two kinds of brownies. I could do blueberry muffins. Oh and banana bread with walnuts."

Ben watched her light up when talking about her baking. She loved it. It made him happy to see that.

Abigail and Charlotte walked in, noticing the look of longing on the young people's faces. It was going to be an interesting day. "Good morning," they said together.

"Ben, there's a shipment to unload," Livy told him.

"Ok. Coming." He turned to face Carlie. "I love you."

"Love you. See you later?" He bent down and kissed her. "Better help Livy, sweetie."

He kissed her again and nodded to Charlotte and Abigail as he walked into the store.

"Ready to bake, Carlie?" Charlotte asked.

"I guess." Her excitement waned a bit, knowing Ben was just through one door but she couldn't see him. Or touch him. Or kiss him when she wanted.

"Hey, this will be fun and before you know it, it will be lunch and you can see him again."

"Three hours. Why does that sound like forever?"

Charlotte and Abigail chuckled, knowing exactly what Carlie was feeling. "Because you've been married a week…"

"Eight days," Carlie corrected.

"Oh, eight days. Pardon me," Abigail teased. "Its completely normal to want to be with him every second."

"Ok, let's change the subject," Charlotte suggested. "What are we going to make?"

They chatted a few moments but Carlie got distracted again as Ben carried in about ten boxes of supplies for the shop.

"Babe, what is all this?"

"Sugar, flour, vanilla. Um, let's see, this one has coffee, tea, and hot cocoa."

There was also paper napkins she ordered with "Carlie's Confections" stamped on them, dishes, silverware, table cloths, and paper bags for people to take their goodies with them.

"I'm so glad all of this came. I was worried."

"Carlie? What would you like us to start on?"

"The cinnamon sugar cookies. I need three dozen. Abigail, do you want to tackle blueberry muffins? I just need a dozen of those."

"You got it."

Ben walked back over and handed her a large crystal vase. "Ben?"

"Its for you. You mentioned you wanted to have flowers in here but you don't have any vases. So I ordered this one."

"Its perfect. Thank you." She walked around the counter and kissed him. "I love you."

"I love you," he told her and walked back to the store.

THAT EVENING

Ben closed the store at seven o'clock as usual and then went to check on Carlie. Abigail and Charlotte left around six. "Car?"

"Hey," she looked up.

"Almost done?"

"No. I can't get this cheesecake right. This is the third one I've made. Will you try it?"

She was getting frustrated. It just didn't taste right. "Sure." He walked over and took the spoon from her hand, setting it in the bowl. Then he hugged her. "I missed you today," he told her.

"I know. Me too." She wrapped her arms tighter around him, just enjoying his arms around her.

"Lets go home."

"Ben, I can't. I open tomorrow and I'm not ready."

"It looks fine to me."

"I don't want fine. I want perfect."

"I misspoke. It's perfect, babe."

"Open," she said, holding a bite of cheesecake up to his lips. He opened and accepted the sweet.

"Hmmm."

"Its missing something, right?"

"No. It tastes good. You could add either fruit or chocolate to the top."

"Chocolate cheesecake?"

"Why not?"

She thought about it and then pulled out a pan and a chunk of chocolate to melt. "Can you hand me the cream from the ice box?"

"Sure but you have to promise to come home as soon as you're finished with the cheesecake."

"Ben, I need…"

"You need to come home because I want us to spend time together. You also need to rest. Tomorrow is a big day."

"Ok, promise. I will come upstairs in awhile."

He kissed her and walked away, pretty sure it would be hours before she made her way home.

VANCOUVER

Leesa and Travis went to dinner while Jack and Elizabeth went to surprise Amy, Caleb, and five of their grandchildren.

They walked up to their front door and knocked.

"Mama! Someone is knockin," Joey yelled.

"Look out the window and see who it is, Joe." Jack waved when he saw Joey's face peek behind the curtain.

"Mama! It's Grandma and Papa!"

"Let them in, sweetie."

Joey unlocked the door and opened it. "Grandma! Papa! Hi."

"Hi, bud," Jack said, picking him up. "You are getting so big."

"Mama says I'm gonna be big and tall like Daddy."

"I bet she's right."

Amy walked out, two month old Lily in her arms. "What a surprise. What are you doing here?" She hadn't expected to see them until Christmas.

"We are visiting you and some other things. Where's Caleb?"

"On assignment. He left yesterday."

"Do you know where?"

"Nope. It will be nice to get a letter to know he's safe."

"Can I hold Lily?" Elizabeth asked. Amy handed her over and then hugged them.

"Its only been a week but, I missed you both."

"Us too, sweetie," Elizabeth told her. "We wanted to tell you and Caleb together but since he's not here, we will tell you."

HARRIS TOWN

Ben came downstairs at nine o'clock, looking for Carlie. He found her asleep at the table, her head on her arms. "Carlie," he whispered, kissing her temple. "Wake up, babe."

"It's morning already? I feel like I just went to sleep." She lifted her head up and rubbed her neck. "Ben? What time is it?"

"Nine o'clock. We need to go home." He took her hand and gently helped her stand. "Its perfect. Tomorrow will be great."

He turned off the lights and slipped his arm around Carlie's waist as they headed upstairs to their apartment. "I made you a sandwich if you're hungry.

"I'm not. I'm sorry. I tasted so many cheesecakes and cookies, I'm stuffed."

"It's ok. I'll put it in the icebox for tomorrow."

Carlie walked into their room as Ben shut off lights and put her food away. Within just that few minutes, Carlie fell asleep.

Ben undressed and climbed under the covers, happy for her for the next day, but missing her. They barely saw each other all day, except for a few brief visits and she missed dinner leaving him to eat alone. Now she was asleep and he lay there awake. Instead of slipping his arms around her as she slept, he turned over and tried to sleep too.

THE NEXT MORNING

Ben woke up early, hoping to eat breakfast with Carlie but she was not next to him. In fact, her bed sheets were cold. How long had she been up?

He dressed, ate breakfast, making her a plate, and carried it down to her. "Car?" She was so engrossed in making another cheesecake, she hadn't heard him call. "Carlie?"

"Oh! Hi, Ben."

"I made you breakfast."

"No thanks. I'm too nervous to eat."

"Carlie, you didn't have dinner last night and now no breakfast. How do you expect to have any energy?" She measured the sugar carefully. "Nevermind," he mumbled, walking away.

She looked up a moment later and he was gone. Once she slipped the cheesecake in the oven, she went to find him.

He was upstairs, drinking tea at the table. "Hey."

"Hey," he responded.

"You ok?"

"Other than missing my wife, sure."

"I'm sorry, Ben. I wanted to make sure everything was ready for today. It's important."

"So are we. At least I think so." She watched as he put his cup in the sink. "I need to open the store soon. See you later."

VANCOUVER

The second visit to the orphanage for Jack and Elizabeth was better. They again joined Charlie and Lydia, whom Elizabeth decided to call Lydie, on the floor. This time, Jack started handing blocks to Elizabeth, thinking the kids would want to play.

Elizabeth watched them watch Jack, taking their blocks. "Charlie? Do you want to play?" She held out a block for him. He looked at her, his eyes showing a little bit of interest. "We can make a house." She started stacking blocks. "Wanna help me?" The little boy scooted closer and started stacking them too.

Lydie sat by herself and watched, wondering why her brother was playing with these big people they didn't know. He seemed to be having fun.

Jack picked up a book with a big brown dog on the front and started reading out loud. "Hi, my name is Fred," he began.

Lydie crawled closer to him, almost close enough to touch.

As Jack read, Lydie eventually sat next to him, her little tiny hand on his knee as she watched and listened to the story.

When the book was done, she looked at him, a tiny smile on her lips. "More," she whispered.

"Want me to read it again?"

She nodded. "Pease."

"Ok, but you need to help. Why don't you come sit on my lap?"

She stood up and held her arms toward him. He slowly lifted her up and onto his lap. "Ok, Lydie, let's start again."

"Fed," she whispered when he pointed to the first page.

"Yep, his name is Fred."

"Ya, Fed."

Elizabeth fell completely in love with her right then. She was so adorable and Lydie Thornton had a nice ring to it. So did Charlie Thornton.

She continued to help him build a house. At the end of the blocks, he looked sad. "What's wrong, Charlie?"

"House."

"Yeah. That's a house."

He pushed the structure over and made a crashing noise with his mouth. "House. Boom."

Elizabeth realized he was talking about the explosion. "Is that what happened?"

"Yeah. Mama Daddy go." He looked up at her with tears. "Sad."

She held her arms out to him and he shook his head. "Its ok, Charlie. I'll hold you."

"No." He stood up and walked away from them. Elizabeth felt an almost overwhelming sadness for the children. On the other hand, this is why they came here, to find children who needed them. She wanted to be their mother. He just needed to trust her first.

DOWN THE HALL

Travis and Leesa walked into the meeting room to see Jade again. Leesa had had a rough night. Leaving Jade the day before had broken her heart. She felt guilty about it, afraid Jade would think they weren't coming back.

They sat down on the couch and waited. As soon as the door opened, Jade and her caregiver walked in.

"Hi!" Leesa said with a smile. Jade ran forward and hugged her, crying her eyes out. "Oh, sweetie. I told you we were coming back." Travis saw his wife through new eyes. It had been a long time since her eyes reflected such raw emotion, other than sadness.

After a few hours, Leesa and Travis asked for a meeting with Robert. Jade needed to eat lunch and take a nap so it was the perfect time.

As they waited in his office, they prayed for her and for Robert to allow a quicker adoption process that usual.

"Mr. And Mrs. Harris?"

"Yes. Robert."

"How are things going with Jade?"

"We want her. We want to sign paperwork as soon as possible."

"The week isn't over yet. There is protocol."

"We understand, sir, but she needs us. We were hoping you would have a way that we could make this go faster?" Leesa pleaded. "If you talk to the caregiver, she can let you know how Jade responds to us. She cries whenever we need to separate from her. She's in desperate need for some stability and a home."

"Excuse me a moment, folks." After about ten minutes, Robert came back in. "Ok, this is what we'll do…."