A few weeks passed by and then it was summer. Elizabeth said goodbye to her students and packed her personal items to take home.

She and Jack were heading on a road trip in a few days for a month that way they'd be home in time for Charlotte and Bill's wedding.

She was grateful for the absence of the boot on her foot and for being able to drive herself around. She was done with physical therapy as well and her morning sickness had pretty much vanished.

When she walked in the kitchen, she started the beef stew recipe she wanted to make. Once the meat was seared, she added beef stock, carrots, and onions and then went to change into something more comfortable.

She noticed that morning while attempting to button one of her favorite blouses that she was putting on weight in her mid-section. Now it looked like she had just been eating too much. She couldn't wait until it was obvious she was pregnant.

She pulled on her favorite "lounging around" outfit. One of Jack's Hunter Creek Emergency t-shirts and her softest pair of yoga pants. Then after tying her hair back in a loose pony tail, she went out to make an apple pie for dessert.

"Babe?"

"Yeah?" She turned to see a concerned look on his face. "What is it?"

"Um, Bill called and my mom collapsed or something."

"What? Where are they?"

"He said she wouldn't let him call an ambulance so he's driving her to the hospital."

Elizabeth turned off the stove and walked over to him. "Sweetie, whatever happens, I'm here, ok?"

"I'm afraid of losing her, Elizabeth." She sighed and wrapped her arms around him. "I need her."

"Me too." She kissed him softly and took his hand. "Let's go to the hospital."

She drove to the hospital, knowing he would be too distracted to drive. When they arrived they were told to have a seat in the ER waiting room and someone would fill them in soon.

"Jack, do you want me to call Tom?"

"I did. He's on his way."

Jack stood up from his chair. "I'm going to get coffee. Do you want some tea?"

"Yes please."

She watched him walk away, lost and scared.

"Elizabeth?"

Tom walked over to her. "Hi, Tom." She gave him a hug. "We haven't heard anything yet."

"Where's Jack?"

"He went to get coffee. He should be back soon."

Bill and Jack walked in a few moments later.

"They are running some tests. We won't know much for a few hours," Bill told them. "They want to rule out a problem with her heart."

"What happened, Bill?" Elizabeth asked as she grabbed Jack's hand, pulling him closer.

"We were just walking to the kitchen and she got lightheaded and then fell to her knees." He had never been so scared. They had finally found each other and he couldn't lose her six weeks before they got married.

….

As they waited, they took turns going in to see Charlotte in between tests. One thing they had detected was her blood sugar was low so they gave her some juice and some protein to eat.

"Are you all ready for your trip, sweetheart?" Charlotte asked Jack.

"We were."

"Were?"

"We can't go now."

"Why on earth not? Don't say because of me."

"Well."

"No sir. You and Elizabeth have saved and planned for this trip. I won't let you call it off because of this little issue."

"You don't know how little it is, Mom. You collapsed."

"Don't be dramatic. I just got lightheaded."

"And fell to your knees."

"I'm fine and you and Elizabeth need to do this."

"I…"

"Listen to your mother."

"Don't really have a choice," he muttered.

"Don't sass." She watched him closely. She knew he was worried. He had always been a worrier as a child and had always stuck close to her. "Jack, come here." She moved over in the bed and patted the area next to her.

He sat down and slipped his arm around her, being mindful of her IV. She turned a little and laid her head on his chest. "I love you, Mom. I just want you to be ok."

"I know, dear. I love you too." She sighed and waited a minute before asking again, "So, are you ready for your trip?"

….

Julie walked into the ER nervous beyond belief. She knew that Tom would probably be there and she wanted to see him but she was betting the feeling wasn't mutual.

She wandered into the waiting room and found Elizabeth right away, dozing against Jack's shoulder. "Hi, Jules," Jack said quietly.

"Hi." She sat down and sighed. "How is she?"

"We aren't sure yet. Waiting on test results."

"Do you need anything?"

"Elizabeth needs to eat soon."

"I'll get us all some food." She kissed his cheek and walked off toward the cafeteria, feeling useful.

As she waited for her order, she looked around and spotted someone she knew. The person she wanted to speak with for some closure at the very least.

"Tom?"

Tom looked up from his sandwich. "Julie." He stood up and she moved closer, wrapping him in a tight hug. She had missed her friend.

"Tom, how are you?" She stepped back and sat down.

"I don't know. I'm worried I guess."

"She's strong. She will be just fine."

"I'm worried about her but I'm more worried about us."

"Us?"

"Yeah." He took her hand and a deep breath. "After Jack and Elizabeth's wedding, I started seriously thinking about our relationship."

"Serious thought should have included me, don't you think?"

"Eventually yes, but I needed to figure out what my feelings for you were."

"What did you come up with?" She slid her hand from his grasp.

"I love you, Julie, but I'm not in love with you. I don't have those strong feelings that I think I should at this point. I know it's not fair that I haven't returned your calls and I am sorry."

Julie stared for a moment at the man she thought she had loved. He was kind and fun and a good father, but she knew that he wasn't the one she was supposed to be with. Mike was. She just needed to somehow get him to forgive her first.

"Jules?"

"I met someone, Tom."

"You did?"

"Yeah. I did. I've known for awhile that we were over. I'm not in love with you either."

As they talked more, they both realized again that what both of them wanted more than anything was the strong, deep, long lasting love that their parents and siblings had. And they both had someone in mind that would provide it.

….

Charlotte went home with Bill to rest late that evening. They were all relieved to hear that her heart was healthy and it seemed to have just been low blood sugar that caused the lightheadedness.

Elizabeth rode in the passenger seat next to Jack on their ride home. He was quiet and she wondered what was going on in his head. She touched his arm. "Penny for your thoughts, cowboy."

She saw a tear slip down his cheek. "I love you, Elizabeth."

"I love you too."

"Please don't forget."

"Promise," she agreed. She threaded her fingers through his.

"Mom made me promise that we'd go on our trip."

"Sounds like her," she said with a laugh.

As they walked in the house a half hour later, Jack realized she was wearing his t-shirt. "Is that my shirt, beautiful?" he asked as he gently backed her against the door, pressing his forehead against hers.

"Yeah. I love it. It smells just like you." She touched his waist, wanting him to come closer.

"I love it when you wear my clothes." He kissed her deeply, his emotions coming to the surface as he stepped even closer. As he continued kissing her, he imagined her wearing it later in her pregnancy, her tummy stretching the fabric. He pulled away and scooped her up, carrying her to the couch.

The look in his eyes excited her. There was fire and love there. There was emotion and passion. As he laid down beside her, she slipped her hands under his shirt, moving it up and over his head. "That's better," she whispered before she welcomed his love completely.

….

THE NEXT MORNING

Julie rushed into the ranch house, not bothering to knock. She listened not hearing anything so she went into the living room.

"Oh! Um…ok. I'll leave now."

The couple on the couch jerked awake, Jack fighting not to fall off the couch.

"Julie! Really?" Elizabeth scolded as she scrambled to cover more of them with a blanket.

"I'm sorry. I just needed to talk to you." Julie turned to give them a chance to put clothes on.

"You could call first."

"I know, I'm sorry."

Jack walked by fully dressed. "Morning," he mumbled.

"Morning," Julie said spinning around to face Elizabeth who was just slipping the t-shirt over her head.

"Julie."

"Oh, I've seen it all before."

"So not the point. What was so important that you had to rush in to my house without calling or knocking?"

Elizabeth folded the blanket and walked to the kitchen, twisting her hair into a messy bun as she walked.

"Tom and I talked."

"I know."

"And we decided that we are better off separated."

"I know that too."

"Well, oh wise Elizabeth, tell me something. How do I get Mike Hickam to forgive me so that we can be together?"

"I don't know. I say be patient."

"I've been patient."

"No, Julie, you've been impatient. You didn't even wait until you and Tom settled things before you made your move. He probably feels like you lied to him."

"I think I'll ask him to be my date to Charlotte and Bill's wedding."

"You're not listening."

"Sure I am. Thanks sis." She kissed her cheek. "Love you."

Elizabeth shook her head at her sister's retreating form and made coffee.

"Hey, beautiful," Jack whispered as his lips found the nape of her neck.

"Hi."

"Wanna go back to bed?"

"Hmm. Yes, but we need to pack."

"We have all day to pack."

"Technically that's true but I also have errands I need to do too which will be impossible if we go back to bed."

"What errands?"

"We need more dog food for Harv, I want to check on your mom, I need more clothes because I seem to be growing out of mine…"

"You can wear mine. I don't mind at all."

"Yes, you made that clear last night, husband."

He backed her against the counter this time, lifting her up so she was sitting on it, her legs wrapped around his waist. "Are you complaining?"

"Uh, no. We just need to lock the door next time. What if Pete or your mom had walked in?"

"Mmm let's not talk about anyone else right now."

…..

An hour later, after a shower and a bit of packing, they walked out of the house and got in their prospective vehicles after a quick kiss goodbye.

Elizabeth drove to pick up Julie and they drove to Bozeman to the mall. Jack was heading to the pet supply store.

"So what are we going to buy you, Beth?"

"Clothes. I'm at the stage where my fitted shirts won't work anymore so I figured I'd get a few loose t-shirts and blouses without buttons and a few pairs of shorts."

"Ok. Do you have a dress for the wedding yet?"

"Yep. It's stretchy and comfortable." She had tried on the sundress she bought in Aruba and it fit but Jack pointed out that in six weeks it might not so she bought a wrap dress that should work for a few more months.

"Beth, I could use some coffee. Can we stop at The Bean?"

"Sure. Can you get me a frozen chai latte?"

"No coffee this morning?"

"No, we kind of got distracted."

Julie laughed. "I bet. Can I ask you a question?"

"Ok. I reserve the right not to answer."

"What's it like? Being married to that one right person? Making love to them? I don't want details I just want to have that experience."

Julie had never been fully and completely in love. She hadn't slept with a lot of men. Only two but the relationships didn't last, obviously. Something was missing.

Elizabeth pulled in front of The Bean and parked. "You know Jack was my first so I have nothing to compare it to. I have to say though that the making love aspect is deep and sacred and I couldn't imagine anything more meaningful than sharing myself and my life with him."

"I want that, Beth."

"You'll have it, I promise you, but you need to be patient. Try waiting this time. Whoever it is that you choose, wait until the wedding night. Trust me, you will have more respect for him and you will be happy and it will mean everything."