"Beth," Charles greeted, holding his hand out.
"Charles. You remember my husband, Jack."
Charles nodded and shook Jack's hand that had been resting on Elizabeth's belly. "Good to see you, Charles. Welcome to Hunter Creek."
"It's a…quaint little town." Elizabeth snorted in disgust.
"You'll never change, will you?"
She started boxing things so she wouldn't have to look at him.
"Well, you certainly have," Charles told her. "You haven't been here a year but you're a completely different person."
"No, I'm the same. This is who I've always been. You just didn't take the time to get to know me."
"And he knows you?" Charles looked at Jack.
"My husband? Yes, he knows me. You and I dated for five years and you never knew me the way he does."
"I suppose not." He glanced at her pregnant belly.
"You know that's not what I'm referring to. Just go, Charles. You came to make fun or mock my town and what I'm doing here but I'm proud of it."
Elizabeth walked away from the gazebo and headed down the street. It didn't take long for Jack to catch up to her. "Elizabeth? You ok?"
"No. I don't understand why he's here."
"I'm guessing maybe to make himself feel better."
"What do you mean?"
"Maybe he wants to know if you're happy? By coming here he was probably hoping to see you unhappily married in a tiny town with no prospects."
"You're saying he regrets breaking up?"
"Maybe. Do you?"
Elizabeth stared at him. "That is the craziest question you have ever asked me, Jack Thornton. Of course I don't regret it."
"You're sure?"
"Yes."
"Then let's go show him how happy you are and how hard you worked to make this program a success. How many children you've helped. How important they are to you."
….
That evening a family dinner was planned at Jack and Elizabeth's. Bill and Charlotte, Julie and Mike, and William and Grace were invited over.
Elizabeth insisted on making the dinner even though Jack thought she should rest. "I don't want to just order pizza."
"I know, but I thought maybe I could grill some steaks and burgers."
"The meal I want to make isn't that involved. It's so yummy too."
"Does it go with pickles?"
"Very funny. Everything goes with pickles." He chuckled and kissed her softly.
"Uh, babe. I need to tell you something."
She walked down the stairs and tied her apron on to protect her dress. "Go ahead."
"We need a ninth place setting for dinner."
"Nine? Why? Oh! Jack Thornton, you didn't."
"I did."
"Do we have any peanuts in the house?"
"What? What does that have to do with Charles coming?"
"He's allergic."
Jack's mouth fell open. "Elizabeth Thornton! I cannot believe you suggested that."
"Just a little joke, sweetheart." She smiled at him unconvincingly. Jack wasn't convinced and he was kinda happy they didn't have peanuts in the house.
An hour later, Elizabeth was deep into dinner preparations when their guests started arriving.
"Something smells good," Bill announced as he and Charlotte walked in.
"Thanks, Bill."
Elizabeth sighed as she dropped the gnocchi into its boiling water and started on the sage butter sauce. She browned the butter and garlic and slowly added sage in the process. By the time the gnocchi rose to the top of the water, the butter sauce was done so she drained the gnocchi and dropped it into the sauce to coat and then onto a serving platter.
"What are we having?" Grace asked. "It smells wonderful."
Everyone was seated, including Charles, so Elizabeth placed the large bowl of food in front of them. "Gnocchi with sage butter sauce. We also have steamed asparagus with caramelized onions."
"Wow, who knew you could cook like this," Charles muttered.
"Like I said, you never knew me, Charles."
Jack took her hand to calm her down. "Let's say the blessing. Bill?"
Bill nodded… "Dear Lord, we approach you tonight…"
….
Elizabeth sat on the back deck, sipping her tea and trying to hold back her tears. Charles coming to her town had thrown her for a loop. It hurt the way he disapproved of everything that she held dear.
"Beth?"
She wiped her tears and stared into the darkness. "Charles, I thought you went to the hotel."
"Can we talk?"
She stood and smoothed her dress. "I don't care to hear anymore of your opinions about my home or my husband or how I choose to live my life. It's my life. You aren't a part of it anymore."
Jack washed dishes in the kitchen. He could hear what was being said through the open window.
"I want to tell you why I came here."
"If it was to prove to yourself that I'm unhappy…"
"Quite the opposite actually. I want to make sure you are happy. Beth, I loved you."
She chuckled at that. "I don't believe you."
"I did. I loved you ever since we were children. I dreamed of us getting married and having a child together. I dreamed of our house in the city. In Madison."
"There are many things in those statements that prove we don't belong together. That we never did."
"Like what?"
"I never wanted to live in the city. I told you that I wasn't happy there but it never sank in. And a child? One child?"
"What's wrong with one child?"
"I never wanted only one. I told you I wanted more than that, but again, you didn't listen."
"Beth.."
"No, Charlie. I wanted to go to culinary school right out of high school but you told me you didn't think I had the talent to succeed. Then, I started to believe you. So I chose teaching and you said it was a silly dream that would take me nowhere. Do you have any idea how much that hurt to have my best friend tell me I'm untalented and silly? It also hurts to have you come here and tell me my town is quaint when what you mean is that it's not important because it's what I chose."
"Beth, I'm sorry." He walked toward her and almost touched her but he caught Jack's eyes watching him through the window.
"For what?" She rubbed her belly where she felt a kick. "What are you sorry for?"
"I'm sorry that I broke your heart."
"You broke my heart many times over but honestly, it was a relief when we broke up. I didn't have to hear how worthless I was anymore."
Jack stepped out onto the porch, warning him with his eyes. "Elizabeth, it's getting late."
"I'll be in shortly." When Jack walked in, she said one last thing. "You've seen me Charlie. I'm happy here. I have the most wonderful husband who thinks I'm worth everything and he supports me and I love him so much. We are having a baby, the first of many, together. I need you to go home to Madison. You belong there. I don't."
….
Jack prepared a bath for Elizabeth, pouring in lavender bubble bath, lighting candles, and turning on piano music to calm her. Her day had started out wonderful and had progressively gotten more stressful until it finally came to a breaking point on the deck with Charles.
"Jack?"
"In the bathroom." Elizabeth walked in and gasped.
"Oh, sweetie. This is wonderful. Thank you."
"You're welcome. Now I made sure the water isn't too hot for you and the baby, and I used the lavender bubble bath that you love."
"There is only one thing missing."
"Oh, what did I forget?" He looked around but couldn't figure it out.
"I just meant you. Will you stay with me?"
"Sure." He sat on the floor next to the tub.
"I mean, I want us both to take a bath."
"Oh. Ok."
A few moments later they were comfortable in the water.
Elizabeth sighed, taking a few deep breaths and moving Jack's hands to her belly. The baby was kicking and she wondered if he might be able to feel it. She pressed his fingers gently into her skin. "Feel that?"
He concentrated and then he laughed. "I felt it!" She kissed his cheek and laughed as he moved his hands, wanting to feel it more. "That was great." He nuzzled her neck, making her giggle. "Thank you, babe."
"Actually, thank you. For being such an amazing husband and best friend. I love you so much."
"I love you too."
"We had record breaking donations today. I think we will definitely be set for winter."
"Are you ready to start your new school year?"
"Yeah. I'm excited to meet my new students and I'm doing the wishing wall again this year."
"Until December anyway. Then we get to meet this little one." He moved his hands over her belly again. "I can't wait."
"Me either."
…..
"Your parents were nice," Mike told Julie as they sat snuggled on the couch in his new house.
"They liked you," she told him, kissing his cheek. "I like you."
"Thank goodness. I'm not sure all the kissing we do would be appropriate if you didn't."
"Haha."
"So…Beth told me that next week is your birthday."
"Remind me to talk to her about that tomorrow."
"She figured you wouldn't want me to know."
"Its just not a big deal, Mike."
"It's a big deal to me."
"Why?"
"Because the woman I love was born twenty four years ago next week."
Julie sat up and looked at him. "The woman you love?" Her eyes filled with tears. She had wanted him to say those words for so long.
"Yeah. The woman I love." He touched her cheek and then kissed her softly.
"She loves you too." She sank into his arms, feeling at home, finally.
"Will you go out to dinner with me on your birthday?"
"Sure. Do I get to pick the place?"
"Absolutely, it's your birthday."
"I pick here."
"Here? Don't you want to go out?"
"No, just being here with you is perfect. That's all I need."
…..
THE NEXT MORNING
Elizabeth decided to make breakfast for her parents who were staying with her and Jack.
"Whatcha makin?" Jack asked, stepping up behind her at the stove.
"Morning, cowboy." She kissed his cheek and went back to stirring.
"I was hoping you would be down here in the pink ruffled apron." He dipped down and kissed her neck loudly, making her laugh.
"I can put it on if you like."
"Well, my thought included you wearing significantly less clothing than you have on right now." He slipped his fingers under the front of her shirt, roaming her tummy.
"Jack, my parents are here. Did you forget?"
"Oh, yeah. That might be a bit awkward."
"What would be awkward?" William asked as he joined them in the kitchen.
"Um, nothing, sir." Jack stepped away quickly.
Elizabeth giggled and turned back toward the stove. "Breakfast will be ready soon, Dad. Do you want coffee?"
"Yes, please, but I'll get it."
Jack snuck a kiss and grabbed a coffee mug too. "Babe, remember, I'm on call this week so I'll be staying in town."
"Yep, I remember. I have work to do on my classroom too. Hey, maybe we can have lunch tomorrow at The Bean?"
"A lunch date with my beautiful wife sounds perfect."
"Great."
…..
After breakfast, Elizabeth showed Grace the nursery. The walls were all painted now. Three of the walls were the pale green color and the fourth wall was gray. She loved the way it turned out, matching the blanket perfectly.
"Oh, it looks wonderful, dear," Grace told her.
"Thank you, Mom."
"I would love to help you decorate it, if that would be ok with you."
"Well, Jack and I wanted to pick out the furniture but we could go pick out the accessories if you want."
"I would love to." Elizabeth smiled at her mom. She was so excited to be a part of this process.
"Ok, well, let's go get changed and we will go shopping.
Within an hour, Grace and Elizabeth were on the road toward Billings. There was a children's store in the mall that had everything they would need.
"Hey, Mom. There is a pad of paper in the console. Why don't we make a list of what we need?"
"You always loved your lists, didn't you?"
"I do. That way we don't forget anything."
Grace retrieved the pad and a pen. "Ok, so you need bedding?"
"Yes. Preferably green or gray. I brought the blanket Jack picked out so you can see it. Maybe a lamp for the side table?"
"A rug?"
"Yes maybe two."