(6/11/2018)

CHAPTER 35

When Elizabeth woke the next morning, she pulled away from Jack to go to the bathroom. As she walked back into the room, he was laying in bed watching her.

"The lifts are closed. It's snowing too much" he said, as she almost reached him.

"Really?" Elizabeth said, detouring toward the window. She pulled the heavy curtains aside and peered out. "They look like they're running. Are you sure?"

"Yes. They're not" he said, appearing behind her and pulling her away from the window, covering her in kisses.

"Maybe I should take another look?" she said, turning back.

"Uh uh. Your mine today."

He scooped her up and laid her back down on the bed, covering her in kisses as she giggled.

After two full days on the slopes, Elizabeth was glad for a break anyway. Her calves were aching and her right knee had been niggling at her.

They had a late start and ventured to the rooftop heated pool and spa just before lunch. They had to brace themselves for the cold but once they were sitting in the spa they stared around them in amazement.

They sat beside each other, allowing the bubbles to soothe their aching muscles. When the other couple left and they were the only two remaining, Jack pulled Elizabeth onto his lap and kissed her.

They sat like that for another ten minutes sneaking kisses every now and again until someone else entered the pool area. Elizabeth moved away from Jack, sitting opposite him in the round spa, keeping her distance. Jack stared across at her.

"What are you doing?" he said quietly.

"Nothing."

"Why are you sitting all the way over there?"

"Why does it matter?"

"Because I can't touch you" he said quietly.

"Maybe that's for the best" she said with a smirk.

"What do you mean?"

"We're in a public place. You shouldn't be touching me."

Jack looked at the older man who was swimming laps in the main pool area, oblivious to the young couple in the spa.

Elizabeth held her feet up, floating on the top of the water. Jack grabbed her quickly, pulling her legs around him. Elizabeth lost her balance but managed to keep her head above the water when Jack pulled her toward him and now he held her close, his hands running all over her.

"Why shouldn't I be touching you?"

"Because it's inappropriate."

"You're my wife. It's all appropriate" he said as his hands wandered over her and Elizabeth couldn't help but giggle.

"I like how you say that."

"Say what?"

"That I'm your wife."

He pulled her in closer and whispered in her ear. "You are my wife, Elizabeth Thornton."

She grinned back at him letting his hands roam wherever they wanted.

"This is the most amazing view, Jack" she said looking up at the slopes from their vantage point. "You don't get much better than this."

"Until we have to get out and make a run back inside at least."

That was the bit she was not looking forward to so they stayed where they were.

The next day, Elizabeth woke up relaxed after a blissfully long sleep. Jack didn't stir so she dressed quickly and went downstairs to the lobby to get some coffee and breakfast for them both. As she stood in line, she listened to the conversation around her and smiled.

She returned to their bedroom, pulling off her clothes and wrapping herself in her robe instead before bringing the coffee and breakfast to the bed. Jack woke up as she took a seat beside him.

"Hey sleepyhead" she said, leaning down to kiss him.

"Mmm you taste like coffee."

"Here you go" she said, holding out a takeaway cup for him.

He raised himself up in bed, leaning back against the plush headboard.

"Did you go out and get coffee dressed like that?" he said in surprise.

"Mmm hmm."

He narrowed his eyes at her. "Are you ready to hit the slopes soon?"

"Actually, the lifts are closed."

"Yeah right" he said with a laugh. "Good try."

Elizabeth stood up and walked to the window, pulling the curtains back so Jack could see. Or rather not see. The blizzard had reduced all visibility considerably. Elizabeth could barely see the chairlift station. Once Jack had a look, she let the curtain fall and walked back towards him.

"I was yours yesterday, today you're mine" she said as she climbed onto the bed, hovering over him.

Jack grinned up at her. "I can live with that."

The days ended up rolling together. They hit the slopes for a few days in the middle and by their second last day, they were both carving up the black runs together and doing jumps. Jack was amazed by Elizabeth's skill and ability and meanwhile, Elizabeth was just as impressed by Jack.

As they headed down one of their last runs for the day, they happened to see a man boarding in front of them collide with another boarder who flew in from a side trail. The first man didn't move from the ground, while the second rider vanished as quickly as he had appeared.

Jack hurried down to the man, skidding to a stop beside him.

"Hey man. Are you okay?"

"No" the guy groaned.

Jack unlatched his boots from his bindings before stepping off and hurrying forward to the guy.

"Where are you hurting?"

"My back."

Jack turned to Elizabeth. He didn't need to say anything. She nodded and headed straight down the mountain to get help.

"Alright. My name is Jack Thornton. I'm a resident doctor. I'm not going to move you. I'm just going to check you over so that when the medics come, they can get you out of here."

"Okay."

"What's your name?"

"Ethan."

"Ethan, are you up here on your own?"

"Yes. My son is in ski school."

"Is anyone else waiting for you at the bottom?"

"No, my wife is at home with my younger daughter about an hour away."

"Okay. What's your wife's name?" he asked as he pulled his gloves off and moved around Ethan, checking over his neck, arms and legs.

"Bree."

"Can you wiggle your fingers?"

Jack couldn't feel any movement in Ethan's hands.

"And what is your son's name?"

"Max."

"Alright I'm going to unstrap you from your board carefully. Let me know if you feel any increase in pain."

Jack worked slowly, undoing the bindings and then easing his boots off.

"I'll get your wife's number and we'll give her a call. I can go pick up your son for you. Don't worry about any of that. We just need to get you safely off the mountain and to a hospital."

"Is it bad?"

"It could be. How bad is the pain?"

"Reasonable."

"Are you cold?"

"Yes."

Jack pulled his own jacket and off and covered Ethan with it. He heard the snowmobile coming and shortly after it appeared with Elizabeth on the back directing the two paramedics.

As soon as it stopped, Elizabeth and one of the men jumped off and hurried over while the driver turned the ski-doo around, getting the tray as close as possible.

"I'm told you're a doctor?" the paramedic asked.

"Yes. I'm Jack. This is Ethan. He has pain in his back in the C5-C7 area. He has little to no movement in his hands and feet. Have you got a back board and cervical collar?"

"Yep. Pete! Bring the back board!"

The two paramedics and Jack hurried around Ethan, positioning all the safety devices to maintain alignment of the head, neck and spine for his move down the mountain. Pete tightened the transport straps over the top of Ethan and the three lifted him, positioning him on the back tray of the skidoo. He had a foil blanket tucked over him.

"Beth, have you got your phone?"

"Yes."

"Ethan, what's your wife's number?"

Ethan recited the number to him.

"Alright we'll give her a call and we'll sort out something for Max."

"Thank you, Jack."

"You're welcome. Hang in their buddy. I hope everything is okay."

Pete and Danny, the two paramedics, climbed back on the ski-doo and took off down the mountain slowly.

Jack turned to Elizabeth who was standing there with his jacket. Jack suddenly felt the cold now that the adrenaline had started to fade. He took it from her and pulled it on, shivering slightly as he zipped it up.

"Let's get down the mountain and then we'll call his wife."

"Jack, my board is already down the bottom."

Jack looked around and saw Ethan's board still in the snow. "Do you think you can ride mine if I ride his?"

"If we take it slow, I should be okay."

They strapped their boards on and made their way slowly down the mountain. The board Jack was using was a lot longer than he was used to and he knew Elizabeth was feeling the same but they made their way back to a blue trail and then easily down to the base.

Elizabeth pulled up, but over countered and fell backward.

"You alright?"

"Yeah" she said, taking his outstretched hand.

Jack walked ahead as Elizabeth unstrapped her bindings. They stacked their boards in the rack and Elizabeth pulled out her phone handing it to him.

"I think you had better call his wife."

"Okay, but I don't know what we're going to do about their son, Max."

"I don't follow."

"He's in ski school."

"Okay, well call his wife and see what she wants us to do."

Jack dialled the number that Ethan had gave him.

"Hello?"

"Hello is this Bree."

"Yes …"

"Hi, my name is Jack Thornton. Your husband Ethan just had a fall on the mountain."

"Oh no."

"I'm a resident doctor and I helped him at the scene. I told him I would call you. He has been injured quite severely and is on his way to the Aspen Valley Hospital."

There was silence on the other end of the phone.

"Are you okay?" he asked, worried.

"Yes. I … um … don't know what to do."

"Your husband said that Max is in ski school. He should be right for another hour I think but then my wife and I can go pick him up if you can't get here in time."

"Um. I don't know."

"It's okay. My wife is studying teaching. Just let us know and we can go and mind him in the cafeteria until you get here."

"Alright. Thank you."

"Just give me a call back on this number. We're staying on the mountain so we're nice and close. I hope Ethan is okay."

"Thank you. Goodbye …"

"Jack. Goodbye Bree."

Jack hung up the phone.

"She doesn't want you to get him?"

"Her mind was reeling. I don't think she heard half of what I said."

"Well, let's go get a coffee and see what happens."

Midway through their coffee, Elizabeth's phone rang.

"Hello, Elizabeth speaking."

"Hi, this is Bree Wilson."

"Hi Bree. What can I do for you?"

"I wouldn't normally ask this of a stranger but I'm still an hour away from the mountain. Can you collect Max for me?"

"Of course. I can head over right now. He's five?"

"Yes."

"They will probably need to give you a call to get your okay?"

"That's fine. You will look after him?"

"I promise. Did you get onto the hospital?"

"Yes. Ethan was going straight in for a CT."

"Alright. I'll go try and get Max now."

Elizabeth skulled the rest of her coffee and stood up. "Wait here for me" she said to Jack.

"Sure."

Elizabeth walked over to the ski school building and walked in to the office. There were children and parents everywhere, basically chaos. Elizabeth went to the counter and found someone to help her.

"Hi. My name is Elizabeth. Max's father, Ethan, was in an accident on the mountain. His mother asked me to come get him. You will probably want to call her and check with her."

The young girl looked her over. "That's fine. Max!" she called out and a small boy emerged with blonde hair.

"Hi there, buddy. My name is Elizabeth. Your dad had an accident and your Mom is coming. She asked me to mind you for a little while. Would that be okay?" The boy looked at her uncertainly.

Elizabeth pulled out her phone and called Bree again.

"Hello? Elizabeth?"

"I've got Max here but naturally he is wary. I'll put him on."

Elizabeth handed Max the phone and she watched him listening to his Mom and then he nodded and handed the phone back to her.

"He should be fine now. Thank you Elizabeth."

"No worries. We will wait in the cafeteria."

"Alright. See you soon."

Elizabeth crouched down to Max. "Okay, Max where are your skis?"

He pointed to the side and Elizabeth went over, collecting them up and then took Max's hand.

"Is this everything?"

He nodded.

"Okay, let's go. Are you hungry?"

He nodded again.

"Alright let's find some food."

Fourty minutes later a blonde woman appeared in the cafeteria with a toddler on her hip. She looked around frantically and was surprised to see her son laughing hysterically with a young couple.

"Max!" she called out waving to him. Her son looked up and waved happily to her.

The couple stood up as she approached.

"Hi Bree" the woman said, offering her hand.

"Elizabeth. Thank you so much for looking after Max."

"Really it's no problem. We had fun, didn't we Max?"

"Yes!" the boy grinned at her.

"Oh, this is Jack" Elizabeth said, pointing to the man behind her.

Jack waved to her but stayed further back. Bree smiled at the handsome young man.

"You were with Ethan when he fell?"

"We were both behind him. We saw the accident happen right in front of us. We reported the other boarder but I don't know that they will be able to find him."

"Well thanks again. I have to get to the hospital now."

"Are you sure you're right with both of them?" Elizabeth asked. "We can mind them a bit longer if you need a hand. Then we could bring them to the hospital in a little while."

"I couldn't impose on you like that."

"It's not an imposition. Plus I offered."

Bree looked between the children and Elizabeth uncertainly.

"Please Mom. Can I stay?" Max begged her.

"I don't know."

"We're staying next door at the Little Nell. We can give the kids dinner and let them have a rest and then we can bring them to the hospital when you're ready to go home."

"Are you sure?"

"If it helps you out, of course."

"It would be helpful but Lina is really fussy."

"Let me take her?" Elizabeth asked, holding out her arms.

Bree handed her to Elizabeth and although Lina looked uncertain, she didn't cry or reach back for her Mom like she would normally.

"We'll be fine, won't we sweetie."

Lina continued sucking her dummy, expressionless.

"Looks like that settles it then. I'll just grab her bag from the car."

"Jack why don't you go and sort out Ethan's board and Max's skis too."

An hour later, Jack and Elizabeth were sitting on the floor of their honeymoon suite with two small children watching cartoons on television and eating chicken nuggets and chips.

Jack stared at the sight in front of him. This was not what he had envisioned on his honeymoon. This is not what he had envisioned for his life at all but watching Elizabeth, he could see she was in her element. Lina had quickly taken to her and was now crawling all over her while Max sat next to her contentedly, staring at the tv.

Lina began to slow down. Elizabeth made her a bottle of milk and sat down in the armchair, holding her close and by the end of the bottle, Lina was asleep in her arms.

Within another half hour, Max had fallen asleep on the couch as well. Jack turned the lights down and they all sat there quietly.

Elizabeth's phone began ringing so Jack went and grabbed it in a hurry, hoping it didn't wake the children.

"Hello?"

"Hi this is Bree. I'm out the front of the hotel. What room are you in?"

"Don't worry. We'll bring them down."

Jack hung up and put all of Lina's things back in her baby bag including her bottle and formula container. Then he lifted up Max and Elizabeth, held open the door for him and they carried the children down.

Bree was waiting in the foyer.

"Wow. You are miracle workers. They're both asleep!"

She led them to her car and Jack and Elizabeth slid the kids into their car seats.

"I can't thank you both enough" Bree said giving them both a hug.

"How is Ethan?"

"He just came out of surgery. It looked like he dislocated multiple discs in his C-spine. He was really lucky. It could have been so much worse."

"That is very good news."

"I don't know how I can thank you both."

"It's fine. We're glad we could help. Send our best wishes to Ethan."

As the Wilson's car pulled away, Jack put his arm around Elizabeth's shoulders leading her back inside out of the cold. They walked upstairs quietly, both in thought about their day.

Jack was thinking about Ethan's injury and how bad it could have been. He had been very lucky in the scheme of things. And then there was Elizabeth with the children. She was a natural. They gravitated toward her. How could he deny her children of her own when she was clearly made to care for them?

Elizabeth meanwhile was thinking about how nice it had been to spend the afternoon with Max and Lina. She had decided that Jack was all she needed but she would admit that she had really enjoyed it. But that was never going to be her life. She had made that decision the day she had married Jack. Elizabeth forced the notion of children from her mind.