Two Weeks Out Of Forever

Jack woke up early on Friday morning feeling anxious. Today was the day. Laying on his side he watched his wife sleep soundly beside him. She looked so peaceful. As he watched her breathe in and out, he carefully moved a stray curl back behind her ear so he could see her face clearly.

"I never dreamed I'd be this lucky," he whispered. "God, whatever your will is, keep our love strong. Help my family to always know how much I love them. I'll do whatever you ask of me, but please, do this for me."

Kissing her forehead, he rose out of the bed and headed to the master bath for a shower. Stepping in, he let the hot water pour over his body as if washing his concerns away. Normally at this point he would be readying his mind for his assignment. Even one as simple as this. A lot had changed since his last assignment however. It was harder than it use to be.

He was washing up when he heard the bathroom door open.

"Babe?" Elizabeth's tired voice called out over the thundering shower.

"Hey. You okay?" He peeked out from behind the shower curtain. Elizabeth had her silky blue nightgown on. It made him smile. It was one of his favorites. She'd always tease him that if it was such a favorite, he should keep it on her longer.

"I'm fine. You're up early."

"Couldn't sleep." She nodded. "Care to join me?" He wiggled his eyebrows.

Biting her lip she checked the small clock on the bathroom counter. The kids wouldn't be up for a little while more. Facing away from him, she slipped the smooth material up over her head and let it drop to the bathroom floor.

"Hey, that's my job," he teased.

She turned back towards him and walked over so she stood right outside the shower. "You want me to put it back on?"

"No. I want you here with me." He took her hand and helped her step into the steamy shower.

….

Forty-five minutes later they were dressed and standing in the kitchen. Jack wanted to make French toast for them all.

"When you come home, I'll make cinnamon rolls."

"Your "special day" breakfast."

"Exactly." Elizabeth wrapped her arms around his waist while he worked on breakfast. Only letting go when she heard the sound of their daughter coming down the stairs. "Mya's up."

Jack chuckled. "It's easy to tell them apart. Asher comes down like a thundering herd of elephants. Mya's more of a gentle gallop of a horse."

"Morning." Mya climbed up on the bar stool, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes. "Daddy, do you still have to leave today?"

"I do, angel. I'm sorry."

"What are you doing again?"

"I'm teaching soldiers how to take care of themselves when moving about mountainous terrain."

"So both you and Mommy are teachers?" she giggled. "That's a connection!" In Mya's kindergarten class they had been learning about how everyone could find something that connected them. Lately Mya was big on trying to find connections for everyone.

"Yup, that's one of our connections." Jack flipped the French toast in the pan. "You hungry?"

"Yes! I could eat everything! Do we have strawberries?"

"Right here." Jack held up the bowl and freshly cut strawberries. "I'll put some on top of your French toast. Sound good?"

"Yummy!"

They all looked towards the stairs as Asher ran down them.

"If I didn't know better I would think he fell down and hit every step on the way," Elizabeth said with a huff.

Jack laughed. Their son couldn't sneak attack on anyone. Asher entered the room with his brown hair sticking up in every direction and his pajama pants hiked up around his calf muscles. He was growing fast.

"I'm hungry."

"Good morning to you too." Jack faced the boy. "Did you leave your little manners in bed this morning?"

"Sorry," Asher bashfully danced in place. "We have breakfast yet?"

"Daddy is making us a yummy breakfast this morning," Elizabeth said lifting him up on her hip. "Come sit up here with your sister."

"Okay. Daddy, you go bye bye today?"

"Yup. After we drop you off at school."

"You come back for my birthday though, right?"

"Yes. Did you decide on what kind of party you wanted?"

"Hmmm." Asher tapped his fingers to his lips. "It's so hard! I can't decide." His little hands rose into the air as if this was the toughest decision of his young life.

"Well, what are you thinking about? Maybe you can have two themes!" Mya said trying to be helpful.

"Paw Patrol… and Superheroes!"

"Superheroes, huh?" Jack grinned. "Who's your favorite right now?"

"Captain America. He like you. A soldier. Martin lets me be him when we play." It was Viola's 7 year old son that had introduced Ash to the world of superheroes. He was like a big brother to Asher. "Oh, and Hulk! He so funny! He SMASHES!"

"Alright. I can do something with that." Jack winked at his wife. A few months before Jack had painted a princess ballroom mural on a large piece of canvas for Mya. Now it was Asher's turn. Even though this was Jack's first birthday party as an official father, it changed nothing. He'd loved these kids from the very start and always acted as such.

….

Elizabeth cleaned up the kitchen while Jack helped the kids get ready for school. She was grateful she had taken the day off.

When they came down, everyone was dressed and ready, including Jack. He stood tall in his Guard uniform. A look Elizabeth rarely saw, but once a month.

"All set?" she asked. Her words catching in her throat.

"Yeah. We're all set. I'm going to load my bags in the car and I'll come help get the kids in, okay?"

"Sure. That's good." Elizabeth did all she could to calm her rapidly beating heart. She kept telling herself it was just two weeks. They could handle two weeks apart, couldn't they?

Once at the school, they walked the kids to their classrooms. Asher was first. He gave Jack a big hug and a fist bump.

"Come back fast, Daddy. I gonna miss you!"

"I'm going to miss you too. Be a big boy for Mom, okay?"

"Okay."

Mya was quiet the whole way down to her classroom. She held tightly to Jack's hand as they went. When they reached the door for her class, Mya turned to face Jack.

"Two weeks, Daddy. Then you come home?"

"Then I'll come home."

"Promise?"

"I promise, angel. I love you."

"I love you too. Make the soldiers smart, okay? Be a good teacher like Mommy."

"I will do my best. Help out around the house, alright? With your brother too."

"He's annoying," she groaned.

"Maybe at times, but that's his job as a little brother. You know Uncle Tommy? He was terribly annoying. Still is sometimes." Mya laughed. "Don't tell him I said that."

"I won't. It can be a secret."

"Sounds good. Love you, angel. See you soon."

"Love you, Daddy."

Jack stood just outside the door and watched as Mya hurried in. He sighed, deeply. "I love them so much, Elizabeth. I never knew just how strong this feeling could be."

"I know what you mean. The second the doctor put Mya in my arms it was as if the whole universe had changed. Only to change again when Asher was born."

"Yeah. They're everything."

The two walked out into the parking lot hand in hand. For old time's sake, they decided to take a walk on the path through the woods by Elizabeth's school which was just across the way. It was the same trail they walked countless times in their early dating, before Elizabeth was ready to fully let Jack into her life and her kids lives.

"You know I had a thought for Ash for his birthday," Jack spoke.

"What is it?"

"Promise you'll hear me out all the way before you say no?"

"Uh oh… what do you want to do?"

"Have you ever heard the theory that when one dog gets old, its best to get a young pup?"

"You're not suggesting what I think you are suggesting, are you?"

"Hear me out." He stopped walking and faced her.

"You are!" she laughed.

"Elizabeth…"

"Okay, fine. I'm listening."

"Thank you. Now Rip is a great dog."

"Yes, but he's more like a cat than a dog."

"Ouch. I'm going to let that go though. The theory is Rip will be a helping hand in training the new pup. In return, the new pup could potentially add to the quality of life Rip has and then maybe we'd even get to have him with us longer. I think it's great."

"So you want to get another dog?"

"Yeah…"

"You're crazy."

"So that's a no then?" he laughed.

"That's a, my husband is insane, possibly deploying, and wants to get a puppy for me to take care of by myself."

"It'll give you something else to do while gone."

"Funny, husband. Very funny." She playfully swatted at him. "I'll think about it. I have two weeks right?"

"Yeah. Something like that."

"Something like that?"

"Well, There's a guy at the guard whose wife breeds bassets. There's a new litter coming soon and I may have said we might be interested."

"You "may" have said we "might" be interested?" She looked up at Jack. He nodded bashfully. Elizabeth broke up into a giggle.

"Alright. I will seriously consider it. We can talk about it while you're away."

"That's right. Skyping and all that."

"Yeah." Elizabeth wrapped her arms around his middle, holding him close. "How much more time do we have?"

Jack checked his watch, "Hour and a half."

"Hmm, enough time to maybe run home real fast?"

"Run home? I already packed everything and…" He caught the flirty look in her eyes as she played with the buttons of his uniformed jacket. They were still newlyweds after all. "Oh, I get it now. Yes. Let's head home."

….

An hour later, Elizabeth laid perfectly still and content in her husband's warm embrace. She knew their time was almost up, but in that moment, all she allowed herself to focus on was his presence and love.

"You going to be okay?" Jack whispered against her temple.

"You must think I'm being ridiculous. What kind of military spouse gets all mopey about a two week, safe assignment?" She rolled onto her back to look him in the eyes.

"You're strong, Elizabeth. You can handle anything. It's okay to not be thrilled with this. We haven't been married that long yet and with the possibilities of redeployment looming over us, it makes sense."

"Thank you for saying that."

"It's true." Jack looked at the clock on the bedside table. "Unfortunately…"

"It's time, isn't it?"

"It is."

"Alright then." She climbed out of his grasp and walked over to grab her clothing that were now scattered along the bedroom floor.

Jack sat up in bed, the bedding falling just below his waist. "Hold still for a moment."

She stopped and gave him a confused look, her dress and undergarments in hand. "What, like this?"

"Just like that, yes." She struck a pose. "Perfect," he laughed. "You're so beautiful. I just want to keep this as one of the images in my head while I'm gone."

"I should be grateful this image only exists in your mind," she giggled.

"For now," he winked.

"Jack Thornton!"

"I'm kidding. I promise."

"I know how skilled you are at drawing. If an image of me ever comes to paper in nothing but my birthday suit, you better keep it under lock and key!"

"Noted, my dear." He ducked as she tossed some of his clothing at him. He got up and dressed back in his uniform. Elizabeth back in her leggings and knit dress.

"Do you know where my scarf is?"

Jack thought for a moment. "On the stairs?"

"Right." She giggled. Thinking about the moment they shared on the stairs on their way to their room. "You ready, soldier?"

"Ready."

Downstairs, Elizabeth put together a small bag with snacks for the road while Jack used the Keurig to refill his travel mug. Jack gave Rip a gentle belly rub as he passed through the living room.

"Take care of them, boy. I'll be back soon." Rip gave a low rumbly growl in agreement.

Elizabeth walked Jack out to his vehicle. "You'll do great."

"Thanks. I'm not sure I'm a natural teacher, but this should be fun. I'll call tonight when I can."

"Text me when you arrive? Before you get started?"

"I will. I promise." Not taking his eyes off hers, he raised his right hand to run his fingers through her hair. "I love you."

"I love you too." She leaned her body against his, feeling the warmth of his love as he held her, kissing her deeply. His affections could be felt down to her core, making her knees grow weak. With one last kiss to her forehead, Jack backed out of the drive. Elizabeth waved until he was out of sight.

"Two weeks…" she sighed. "We can do this."

…..

The next morning Elizabeth didn't wake up alone. Instead of Jack by her side, she was surrounded by her kids. She smiled as she looked down at their sleeping little bodies. They'd climbed into her bed for bedtime reading and fallen asleep there. She didn't have the heart to move them as they gently snored away.

It worked out well for Jack too. He was able to skype with her at about 10, Friday night. Even though the kids were asleep, he got the chance to see them. Elizabeth could see the love in his eyes even through the screen.

"Give them each a kiss for me please?" he'd asked her, his hand placed over his heart.

Her eyes watered just thinking about it. She gazed at her kids. "We're so lucky to have your daddy in our lives," she whispered. "He truly, truly loves us."

Asher stirred first. Lifting both his little legs up in the air under the down comforter. "Is it morning?" he groaned.

"Yes, love, its morning."

"Okay." He rolled back over placing the little throw pillow over his head. Elizabeth couldn't help but laugh.

"It's Saturday. You know what that means?"

He sat up with a goofy grin on his cute face. "We go see Master Jordan?"

"Yup! Want to get up for breakfast so we can get ready for taekwondo?"

"Yes!" He jumped out of the bed, waking up Mya in the process.

"Asher!" she whined. "Why did you wake me?"

"It's Saturday!"

"I don't care! I was getting my beauty sleep!"

"You are a beautiful little girl, you don't need beauty sleep," Elizabeth proclaimed.

"But I was having such a good dream! I was riding a horse with Daddy."

"That does sound nice!" Elizabeth pulled her into her arms. "Maybe we can go horseback riding up at Papa Dale's when Daddy gets back."

"Oh! That would be fun!"

"Can we eat first?" Asher asked with a whine.

"Yes, lets eat," Elizabeth laughed.

After getting them both to use the bathroom, Elizabeth made a quick breakfast of eggs and English muffins with jam.

"Who's taking me to soccer today?" Mya asked, her mouth full of eggs.

"Uncle Tom will. Aunt Julie, your brother and I will come after his activity."

Tom and Julie were already on their way over. Saturdays had become busy in the Thornton household and they wanted to help. While the kids ate, Elizabeth ran around trying to get everyone's bags together.

"Knock knock!" Tom said a few minutes later as he and Julie entered.

"Hey, Uncle Tommy!" Asher waved. "We're having breakfast!"

"Coffee's on if you want some," Elizabeth yelled from the top of the stairs.

"Thanks!" Tom yelled back. He poured him and Julie each a cup and sat down with the kids. "Who's ready to have some fun today?"

"Me! Me!" they both cheered.

Elizabeth hurried into the kitchen carrying two bags. One for each kid. Her hair was loose and going in every direction.

Tom reached out and took her arm, slowing her to a stop. "Hey, you alright?"

"Of course. There's just a lot to do."

"Sis, we got this. Trust me."

"Yeah, Mommy, Uncle Tommy and I got this!" Mya said, high-fiving her uncle.

"I know. I'm sorry. I'm just a bit…"

"Stressed?" Julie said with a smile.

"Yeah. Stressed. Okay, so Tom, you're going to take Mya to the field for warm-ups and Julie and I will meet you there after Asher's taekwondo."

"Yup. I have the directions already programed into google maps. I also remembered we are on for bringing the orange slices for half time. We've got those in the car."

"Oh, right. I was supposed to be the snack mom."

"Well, now I am." Tom grinned, but it quickly faded. "Okay, that was weird. Can we just agree that it's okay to trust me and get going with our day here?"

"Yes. I trust you. Thank you." She kissed Tom's cheek and turned to grab Asher's bag. "Let's go bud, you finished?"

"I finished!" He hopped off the chair and went in the bathroom to change into his uniform.

"Don't forget me!" Julie gave Tom a kiss.

Tom hugged Julie and whispered, "Look out for her today,"

"I will."

….

Tom pulled into the parking lot of the community park and let Mya lead the way to her field. Tom grabbed the bag with snacks and blankets for when Elizabeth and Julie got there and followed his niece along the path.

"Why's Uncle Jesse coaching and not you, Uncle Tom?"

"Well, Uncle Jesse is a natural when it comes to having patience."

"But we're good kids, I promise. We'd be nice."

"It's not you kids I was worried about," he winked.

"Oh," Mya laughed. "Rosie is funny. Daddy called her a drill sergeant last week."

"Oh yeah? What'd she think of that?"

"She threw an orange slice at him."

"Sounds about right." Tom grinned. "Hey look over there, there's Jess and Clara."

"Auntie Clara!" Mya ran towards Clara with her arms open wide.

"Hey, sweet girl! Ready to kick some butt?"

"Yeah! Are you helping Jesse?"

"Only with moral support."

"What's that mean?"

"Oh, I'm like a cheerleader."

"Cool!"

Elizabeth and Julie arrived with Asher just before the game started. Tom was standing on the sidelines with Lee laughing.

"What's so funny?" Elizabeth asked as she approached.

Tom lifted up Asher on his shoulders. "Not much, we're just placing bets on how long Jesse can work with Rosie."

When Jesse graciously volunteered to take Jack's place with Mya's soccer team, Elizabeth warned him that Rosie could be a bit much at times. Jesse seemed to think a whole childhood with Rosie was training enough for two weekends of coaching.

"Wishful thinking buddy," Elizabeth had said at the time. Seems she may have been right.

"The game has barely begun and she's already driving him batty," Tom laughed.

"I love my wife but it takes a particular kind of person to deal with her… enthusiasm."

Fifteen minutes later with two goals down, not much was improving for the two coaches. Just as the other team entered their zone towards the goal, Jesse stopped walking to cheer on Mya and the rest of the defense.

"You got this Mya! OW!" Rosie crashed into him from behind. "Rosie!"

"Hustle, Mya! Attack!"

The whistle blew and the team huddled around their coaches. Jesse gave a few words and sent the team back out.

"Rosie, we need to talk."

"I'm listening."

"Great… Now remember the deal, you stay on that side of the bench, I stay on this side. If you stick to that, maybe, just maybe, we'll get out of this without strangling each other!"

"Jesse, this is my team."

"No, this is the kid's team, you and Jack coach and I'm in his shoes today. How about this, you focus on the defense, and I'll focus on the offense."

"Deal. Just make sure you do it right!"

"For the love of…." Jesse looked over at the stands. "Tom! You're it."

"What?" Tom choked on his own air. "What do you want me to do?"

"Coach." Jesse took the team coach jacket off and tossed it to his brother. "All yours, pal."

"Okay… If I'm coaching, you get our nephew."

"Deal. Come here, Ash."

"Okay!" Asher leapt from Tom's shoulders to Jesse's arms.

Tom was wonderful with the kids, and even more patient with Rosie, who by all account seemed to mellow slightly after half time. Lee took her for a short walk during that while Elizabeth and Tom managed the team.

When the game was finally over, the Hot Shots won by 2. Julie sat in the stands and watched in awe. She loved the side of Tom that came out around his niece and nephews, and kids in general apparently. A vision came to her mind of Tom playing with their own children. It brought a surprising amount of joy to her heart.

"Wow…" she gasped quietly.

"Wow what?" Elizabeth looked at her sister. She was staring, mouth gaping at Tom. "You alright?"

"Maybe."

"Seriously, what's going on? You look scared, Julie."

"Not scared...shocked. Yeah. That's a better word for it. I just realized something. Something big."

"What's that?"

"I want kids. Plural. And not just with anyone. With Tom. He's great! Look at him!"

Tom was still on the field. Four kids, including Mya, running around chasing him. He had the biggest smile on his face. It reminded Elizabeth a lot of Jack.

"Yeah, he's great."

"No, like, really great. Like husband and father great."

"Wow," Elizabeth laughed a bit. "This is big."

"Yeah. Oh my gosh, Beth! Now what do I do?"

"I don't know, maybe tell him how you feel?"

"Are you kidding? You know what would happen if I did that?"

"Um, your relationship might move forward?"

"Exactly! I'm not ready for that!"

"Good grief, Jules," Elizabeth laughed. "Listen to me, sister, when you have a man like that, loving you like Tom does, you don't stand still. You run towards them."

Jesse and Clara walked up hand in hand. "Let's head to Abigail's. Our treat," Jesse offered to Elizabeth, Tom and the kids.

Elizabeth was grateful for her family. If Jack did have to deploy, she would never truly be alone. Before, she had her parents and sisters, Rosie and Lee. Now, that family had doubled thanks to the Thornton's. She was in great loving hands.

A week later...

Jack sat in his office looking at the letters from his kids and wife. It was late Sunday afternoon. He'd been away for over a week now. The job assignment was good. Great even. However, the desire to be back with his family was stirring his stomach.

Looking at a piece of paper with Mya's writing all over it, Jack grinned. The spelling wasn't perfect but he got the gist.

"Dear, Daddy. This is Mya. I miss you. Mommy says you are but please be safe. Mommy let Asher and I sleep with her last night. I don't think we can do it again. Asher wet the bed in the night. We all had to take showers. Everybody was fussy. But don't tell him I told you. He is still little. Love you Daddy. Mya."

Next he looked at Asher's letter. It was more of a drawing, than a letter. The boy had drawn a Captain America like figure with an abnormally large head, next to a smaller person dressed the same. The two figures were jumping from a plane to a rooftop of what looked a little like their home. On the bottom in Elizabeth's handwriting were the words, "Me and my Daddy."

"I've gone so soft," Jack said to himself with a laugh. He wanted to be home. Not just for now, but for good. He shot a quick email to his commanding officers, asking for a update on his withdrawal. He loved serving his country, but this new joy he felt as a father and husband was overwhelming. There was nothing like it, of that he was convinced. Then of course there was the dream of having another child with Elizabeth. The very thought excited him.

Having twenty minutes left in his break, he called home. Maybe he'd get to talk to his family. Or at least Elizabeth.

"Jack!" Elizabeth answered the phone on the second ring.

"Hey, babe. How's it going?"

"Not bad. So good to hear your voice!"

"Yours too. Do you have a moment?"

"I have all the moments you want!"

"Good." He relaxed a little, feeling the warmth of love fill his chest. "How are you, Beth?"

"Doing well. I miss you like crazy. I rather like sleeping next to you."

"Same here. I can't sleep well without you in my arms. On that thought, what are you wearing?" he flirted.

"Jack!" she laughed. "It's the middle of the day. I'm at home with the kids."

"So, answer the question," he teased.

"Alright, I'm wearing more than I did the last night you were here."

"Which is what, love?"

"My skinny jeans and your grey ARMY t-shirt."

Jack rested his head against the back of his chair. "I like those jeans on you, and I have to say, you look so good in my clothes."

"I love this shirt. It smells like you."

"Can I ask another question?"

"Sure, babe."

"Imagine it was just you and me right now, the kids are off with your parents or my mom and Dale."

"I like this thought."

"Me too. So, if this was real, what would you be wearing?"

"You're hopeless," she laughed.

"No," he laughed. "I'm a poor newlywed that's spent the past eleven days away from his wife. That's too long."

"I agree," Elizabeth giggled. "Alright, I'll play along. You know that blue nightie you like so much?"

"Yeah," he groaned happily at the thought. "You look so gorgeous in that."

"Well, if you were here, I'd be wearing something like that, only it's brand new and more revealing."

"Ugh! You're killing me, woman!"

"You asked!" she laughed.

"I did. I can't say I regret it either. The image that just formed in my mind is gonna carry me through the rest of this week."

"Don't imagine it too much. I don't want the reality to disappoint you."

"Not possible, babe. You in real life will always surprise my wildest dreams."

"Now it's your turn. What are you wearing?"

"My uniform, sans the jacket for now."

"You look real sexy in that uniform."

"Sexy enough you want me to stay in the service?"

"Heck no!" She laughed. "You're sexy no matter what you wear. Or don't wear for that matter."

Jack laughed, loving her playfulness. "Someone been doing a little imagining of her own, has she?"

"You're not the only newlywed here Thornton," she giggled. "Any word about the deployment?"

"Nothing yet. I did send out an email though. Maybe we'll hear soon. How are my kids?"

"They're okay. They asked about you every 10 minutes. Especially Ash."

"I should be able to FaceTime tonight to read them a bedtime story."

"They'd love that. Ash is napping now, but you want me to get Mya?"

"Wait, Ash is napping? I thought he was outgrowing that."

"He is, but he wore himself out at the castle park after church." Elizabeth called Mya to the living room so she could talk. Through the receiver, Jack could hear his little girl running to the phone. It made his heart beat a little faster. Oh how he missed his family.

"Hi, Daddy!" Mya's bright voice sang through the phone.

"Hi, angel, how are you? Daddy misses you!"

"I miss you too! You come home soon?"

"One more week, sweetie. So tell me, how are you?"

"I'm good! I was in the other room playing horses. I made a barn out of a box!"

"You did? How'd you do that?"

"Oh, it's so easy. I found a box in the garage and used tape and paper and paint and markers and made it pretty. Now the horses can live there. The toy barn I have is just too small for my horses."

"Oh, I see," he laughed. "You are very creative, angel. Can you have Mom send me a picture of your barn? I'd love to see it!"

"Okay!"

"So tell me, how's your brother?"

"Annoying," she said with an exaggerated sigh.

"Well, other than that," Jack chuckled.

"There isn't anything else! He's just annoying all… the… time."

"I'm sure there something good you can say about Ash."

The line went silent as she thought. "Well, he's sleeping now. Which is nice. Makes the house quiet."

"Mya…." Jack said in a warning tone.

"Okay, okay," she sighed. "He shared his fries with me at lunch today. That was nice."

"There we go!" Jack laughed. "Did you go to Abigail's after church?"

"We did! It was fun. But not the same without you. You should come home."

"I know sweetie, soon."

"How soon? How many nights?"

"Five, angel. I'll be home and hugging you in five days."

"Can I have a bear hug when you get home?"

"You can have as many as you want. I love you, sweetie."

"I love you too, Daddy." Jack could hear Mya and Elizabeth's voices on the line but they were muffled. "Mommy is still here. Can she talk to you?"

"Yes," Jack laughed. "I'd love to talk to Mom."

"Ok. Bye, Daddy! Come home soon!"

Elizabeth giggled as she came back on the phone. "You made her day, babe. Mine too."

"You two made mine. Man, I miss you. I want you back in my arms."

"Five more days, Jack; and even though it will only have been two weeks, I promise you one heck of homecoming."

"I'm looking forward to it more than you know. Hey, Elizabeth?"

"Yeah, love?"

"I just wanted to say thank you. You changed my life. It was good before, but it's absolutely amazing now. I love you."

"I love you too, Jack. You are truly one of my greatest blessings."

They talked for the rest of Jack's break before Jack had to return to teach another drill. He'd been so reluctant to say goodbye, that he was running late and had to double time it to the instruction room.

Tuesday afternoon came by slowly as each night without Jack dragged on. It occurred to her that this separation was harder than she expected because to her, it wasn't just two weeks. These two weeks could be the start of an even longer separation if he deployed. That "what if" was weighing so heavily on her. The high she felt at the beginning of all this over having her extending family around her had dissipated and now, she felt alone without Jack.

Trying to distract herself, Elizabeth was in the laundry room doing another load. It seemed like her children's dirty clothes tripled each night.

"Momma!" Asher yelled exuberantly from down the hall.

"What, Ash? Are you okay?"

"Mya is being a meanie!"

"Ash come here." She waited and heard the thump thump of her heavy footed son coming towards her. "Now, tell me what's going on."

"She won't play with me! Just horses! She says I can't play horses."

Elizabeth sighed heavily. "Ok, listen sweetie, sometimes you and your sister are going to want to do different things. That's okay. Maybe give her some time and ask again, okay?"

"Alright." Asher moped. "Will you play with me then?"

"Sure. Just give me a minute to finish laundry."

"I help! Dad helps, I help."

"Perfect love. You can take the clothes from the dryer and put them in this basket, okay?"

"Kay!"

As Elizabeth and Asher were coming down the hallway back towards the living room so Elizabeth could fold the clothes, there was a knock on the door.

"Anyone home?" Abigail's cheery voice rang through the house.

"Auntie Abigail!" Asher ran over to give her a hug then Bill and Cody who came in after. "What you doing here?"

"We thought you might like some company," Bill said giving Elizabeth a hug.

"And reinforcements," Abigail whispered to Elizabeth.

"You have no idea. Thank you."

"Of course!" Abigail smiled. "I also brought a crockpot chicken meal and wine."

Elizabeth laughed as Abigail showed off the white wine bottle hiding in her purse. She took the crockpot from Cody and led Abigail into the kitchen.

While the women were in the kitchen, Bill and Cody sat in the living room with the kids.

"Uncle Bill," Mya said running up. "Will you play tea party?"

"Tea party?"

"Yeah! We sit at the little table wearing funny hats, crowns, and feather scarves."

"Oh well…I don't know."

"Daddy does it."

"I bet he does," Bill laughed.

"Come on, Dad," Cody said with a laugh. He was already reclining in one of the living room chairs with Ash on his lap. "Just play tea party with the girl."

"You can play too!" Mya said jumping up and down.

"HA!" Bill laughed. "Yes Cody. Let's play tea party with the little girl."

A very excited Mya hurried up the stairs, quickly followed by Asher to gather things for the tea party.

"One lump or two?" Mya asked a few minutes later. She was dressed in a sparkling pink boa and her pink cowgirl hat. Both Cody and Asher were dressed as superheroes, but poor Bill was wearing a green and yellow boa with sparkles and variety of beaded necklaces.

"Uncle Bill?" Mya asked again.

"Three," Bill answered with a slight sigh.

"That wasn't an option," the little girl shook her finger at him.

Abigail silently laughed to herself from the hallway. She snapped a few pictures and retreated unseen to the kitchen. She sat back on the bar stool with Elizabeth. The two we're enjoying pre-dinner wine and some chocolate chip cookies Elizabeth had made the day before.

"It's crazy. I feel completely ridiculous, Abigail."

"I'm sure you're fine," Abigail chuckled. "But tell me how you're feeling anyway."

"I guess it's like this, I have been a single mother most of my children's lives. Before all this, I never planned on remarrying. This should be easy for me, at least one would think."

"You're referring to Jack I assume?"

"Yes! How have I gotten so used to having Jack with me so fast?"

"Because this is how it should be." Abigail reached over, placing her hand on her friend's. "He's a real partner. The kind you've always deserved."

"What if he deploys? Then what, Abigail? I'll be right back where I was."

"No, not back where you started. You will be here without Jack, yes, and it will no doubt be hard. In some ways maybe harder than before because you'll miss him."

"Okay, so it will be worse. Great…"

"Elizabeth, you'll have something you didn't have before. You will carry with you an amazing love of a wonderful man and father. That can't be replaced."

"I know you're right, I'm just struggling."

"I understand it. I do! Just be patient for now and keep praying. We have no idea what the future holds, but the Lord does."

Later that night after Abigail and family had gone home and the kids were asleep, Elizabeth put on Jack's favorite nightie and her soft robe. She and Jack were planning on having a skype date that evening and she couldn't wait to see his face. She set her tea on the night stand and crawled into bed with her tablet while she waited.

A few minutes later, the familiar skype jingle alerted her of Jack's incoming call.

"Hey, beautiful!" Jack grinned. He was leaning back against the headboard in his barracks with his shirt off, hair wet and standing in every direction from his shower. He was all ready for sleep later.

"Hey, yourself. Don't you look handsome tonight." She told him all about her night and Abigail coming over. Jack was particularly amused by how Elizabeth described Bill playing tea party and couldn't wait to see the picture from Abigail later.

"So…" Jack grinned. "You wearing anything special under that robe of yours? Maybe something new?"

"Not new," she giggled. "More like an old favorite. Though can it be considered old when we've only been married two months?"

"Regardless, if its my favorite, then its the blue one and it's amazing." Elizabeth giggled as Jack wiggled his eyebrows up and down. "So… can I see it?"

With a cute little nod, and the tablet leaning against a pillow, Elizabeth slid out of the robe. "What do you think?"

"Good grief, you are gorgeous. I think I might need to hop in the car and come home." Elizabeth laughed. "Maybe I can still get back in time to teach the morning lecture."

"As great as that would be, if you come home, I don't think I'll be able to let you leave again."

"Mama?" Asher's voice followed by a series of little knocks rapped against her bedroom door.

"Asher's awake."

"Is he okay?"

"I don't know. Come in, sweetie!" Elizabeth wrapped herself back in her robe and climbed out of bed.

"Mama, I scared."

"You're scared?" she talked sweetly. "What happened? Did you have a bad dream?"

"Yeah. Loki. Bad guy."

"Lukie? Who's Lukie?"

"Loki," Jack said from the computer screen. "He said Loki."

"Interesting." Elizabeth picked her son up and carried him to the bed. "Who's Loki?"

"He's Thor's adopted brother."

"Is this a superhero thing?"

"Yes, in Marvel. We should start catching you up when I get home."

"Goodie," she teased. "As long as I can curl up on the couch with you, I'll will watch just about anything."

"You like Chuck, you'll like these I bet."

"Mama…" Asher who was still half asleep stared at the screen. "That Daddy on the TV?"

"It's my tablet and yes. There's Daddy. Say hi?"

"Hi Daddy. How you get there?"

"Where bud?"

"That tab-o-lat?"

"Oh," Jack laughed. "I'm still at work. I just wanted to video call Mom. I miss you guys."

"You come home soon?"

"I will, bud."

"You want to read to me?"

"Sure, bud, but then you need to try to sleep. Okay? Loki isn't real, he won't hurt you."

"Loki look real."

"Trust me, son, you're safe."

"Okay. Be back with book." Asher hopped out of the bed and scurried down to his room to grab a book.

"Sorry about our skype date," Jack frowned playfully.

"It's okay. I can still see you and I love watching you as a father."

Asher ran back in and climbed onto the bed. He held up his book to the screen for Jack to see. "Blue Truck, please."

Jack was glad that was the one book his boy had picked. It had been Asher's favorite for a while now so Jack know it by heart.

As Jack read the book, Asher's eyes drooped more and more and before the end of the book, he was asleep again. He stayed there snuggled at Elizabeth's side for the next little while as Jack and Elizabeth talked until almost 1 in the morning.

….

Jack was sitting in the mess hall of the training facility with some of the other officers Thursday early evening. The training was complete, all that that was left was an exam the next morning.

"Major Thornton!" A young man who worked in the main office called over to him. "Sir, you have a phone call in the office. Commander Jones, sir."

"Thank you, private." Jack took his tray back to the kitchen and hurried off to the office. A call from his CO could only mean one thing right now. He was about to get the answer he and the rest of his family had been waiting for. Good or bad, life was about to change.