"So I guess that means it was okay?" Beth laughed, eating a piece of pie from their dinner as she sat against the headboard in her robe.
"Mm," Jack mumbled.
"Are you sleeping?"
"Nope. Just resting my eyes. Oh and remind me to thank Clara and Bree."
"For what?"
"For this," he told her, untying the sash on her robe.
"Um, no. You are not thanking them, Jack Thornton."
"It's only polite."
She shook her head and fed him a bite. "Listen to your wife."
"My wife," he whispered. "I love the way that sounds."
Beth got up and washed her dish a moment later. As she washed, she felt Jack walk up close behind her, finding her neck with his lips. "I have a surprise for you."
"What's that?" she asked, tilting her head as he continued exploring.
"I rented us a cabin on Lake Champlain."
"Babe, that sounds great but I don't think we can leave Linc that long."
"I know. That's why he is coming with us. And Ginger too. The cabin has two bedrooms, a huge porch, a jacuzzi tub, a nice kitchen. It will be perfect."
She turned and looked at him, standing in just his boxers. There was no chance she was going to say no when he looked like he did. "When do we leave?"
Because they had married a day early, they needed to wait an extra day to head west to the cabin. This would give them time to pack and since Aggie's House was opening just a couple days after they returned, it would give Beth time to get things set up.
They walked in the door at the B and B about noon Friday.
Lincoln came racing toward them and attacked Beth's knees. "Bet!"
"Hi, sweetheart." She picked him up and gave him kisses. "We missed you." Jack kissed his hair.
"Were you a good boy?"
"He was," David and Charlotte told them. "He cried a bit after you left but then he slept the whole night."
Beth nodded and hugged him tighter. She knew in her heart that she wouldn't be comfortable leaving him again for quite a while. She was relieved that Jack had suggested taking him on their cabin trip.
Later after Jack's parents went upstairs to pack, Beth sat on the bed with Linc who still clung to her as Jack unpacked his things and placed them in the dresser and closet.
"Guess what, Linc? Jack is taking us on a trip. Oh and Ginger!"
"Doggie!"
"Yep and we are going to go fishing and go for a bike ride and watch the stars," Jack told him. "And take a jacuzzi bath and sleep in."
Beth laughed meeting his eyes. "That sounds like fun."
"I think so," he said, heading back into the closet. "Babe, I'm gonna take Linc to get a seat for him to ride on my bike."
"Okay. I'm going to get my baskets ready for the guest rooms and finish stocking the supply closet."
"Sounds good."
After they ate lunch, Jack gave Beth a kiss and he and Linc headed out to Burlington to the outdoor sports store.
"Moo," Linc said from the backseat.
Jack looked to the left. "That's right, bud. Cows."
"Moo."
"Do you know what a doggie says?"
"Wuff wuff."
"Yep. And what does a kitty say?"
"Mmmow."
"Very good. You're a smart boy."
"Bet?"
"Beth is at home. We will see her a bit later."
"Mama?"
Jack didn't know how to respond. He decided to just be honest but he didn't know how much he was going to understand. "Linc, your Mama and Daddy loved you very much but one night they got hurt really bad and they died. They asked me to take care of you so Beth and I are going to do that."
"Mama, Dada."
"Yeah, bud. I'm sorry. But I love you so so much and so does Beth."
Jack felt bad and a bit guilty so when they arrived in Burlington, he took Linc to Walmart first and they headed down the toy section.
Linc wandered down the aisles and pointed at a large stuffed dog. "Doggie!" He pulled it off the shelf and hugged it.
"You like that one?"
"Yeah."
"Alright." Jack also grabbed a toy boat for the bathtub and a package of tiny plastic animals and then they walked over to the bike section. "What do you think, Linc? Do you think they have a bike seat for you here?"
"Yeah," he said, still holding his stuffed dog.
Linc was right. There was a seat just the right size so they found just what they needed. On the way to checkout, Jack found a bouquet of flowers for Beth.
When they returned home, Jack found David and Charlotte in the kitchen. "Hey, guys. Would you be able to watch Linc while I go attach his seat to my bike?"
"I'll help you," David offered.
Charlotte knelt down in front of Linc. "Want to help me make cookies, Linc?"
"No. Bet."
"Beth is busy. Come on, bud. Your dog can come too."
Charlotte led him toward the fridge. Jack and David headed outside to the shed out back.
As they worked on the seat, it was quiet so Jack decided to let David talk. He knew or at least had a good feeling about what he was going to need.
"So, Jack, I was hoping we would get a chance to speak today."
"Sure. I'm listening."
"I love your Mom."
"Yeah. I know."
"And since you and she seem close, I think that it's only proper for me to ask for your blessing in marrying her."
"David, you make her happy. You fill the void that losing my father created. You're good with Linc and you seem kind. Knowing my mom, if you weren't someone she trusted, she wouldn't still be with you. So yes, you have my blessing." David stuck out his hand and Jack took it and then gave him a hug. "If you hurt her, we will have another issue, though."
"Understood."
When Jack and David came back inside, Jack felt a strong need to see Beth so he headed to the supply closet.
He stopped just inside the doorway, flowers in hand, and simply marveled at how beautiful she looked, even in loose shorts and one of his tshirts that was way too big. It actually made her more gorgeous and tempting now that he knew what was underneath.
"Are you going to come over here, Jack, or just stand there all day?"
He closed the door and walked over, wrapping her tight in his arms, laying a kiss on her that left them both needing air. He slipped his hands under the hem of her shirt and pulled her even closer.
"Jack, someone could walk in."
"So?"
She gently moved his hands and smiled. "Babe, if we were alone in the house, I wouldn't be stopping you, believe me."
A knock made them both jump and step apart. "Yes?"
"We are going to take Linc to the park for a bit," Charlotte said through the door. "And then to the diner for dinner."
Jack smiled. "Thanks, Ma."
"You're welcome, son. Have a good afternoon."
"We will." Beth smacked his arm. "What was that for?"
"Now she knows what we are planning on doing."
"Honey, everyone knows what newlyweds do. Why do you think she and David are taking Linc?" They heard the door shut so he took her hand and led her through the kitchen to the master and locked the door behind them. "Now, where we?"
As they lay in bed a while later, arms around each other, Jack told her about his conversation with Linc. "Do you think we should show him pictures of Gabe and Payton?" Jack wondered.
"Maybe not yet. I think after a while, it wouldn't upset him but now, it might send him backwards."
"I hope he calls me Dad one day."
"He will. It's just going to take time." She kissed Jack's neck, rolled over and sat up.
"Where are you going?"
"I need to take a shower and get back to work."
"But we still have like an hour."
"I know but we need to pack for the trip for us and Linc, and I need to finish the closet or I won't be ready to open on the 15th."
"I guess I'll pack," he offered.
"Make sure you pack a whole package of diapers for him."
"I will."
"Oh and the wings for him for when we go swimming."
"Got it. Diapers and wings."
"And there's an extra two bottles of juice in the cupboard."
"Diapers and wings and juice."
"Oh and…"
"Honey, why don't I let you pack for Linc and I'll pack for us?"
"Because if you pack for me, I'm going to end up with only underwear and no clothes."
Jack laughed. "I'm good with that."
"Funny. I'll let you pack for me then I'll just check to make sure nothing is missing."
"Deal."
The next morning, they took Charlotte and David back to the airport and after a few goodbyes, Jack, Beth and Linc were on their way to their cabin.
As they got closer to the cabin, they passed a grocery store and decided to stop to get some things for meals.
They pushed a grocery cart through the aisles, enjoying being together as a family.
"Bet," Linc said.
"Yes, sweetheart?"
"Mama."
"Mama's gone, bud. But you are with us and we will keep you safe."
"Dada."
"Dada isn't here, sweetheart. You have Jack now."
Beth grabbed a box of Cheerios from the shelf and crossed it off her list.
"Mama? Up?" Linc said, reaching for her.
"He called you Mama, Beth."
"He did?" She walked back over to him. "Who am I?"
"Mama," he said with a nod.
"And who is this?" she asked, touching Jack.
"Dada."
"Holy moly." Beth picked him up and gave him a big hug. "That's right, Linc. I'm your Mama now."
"Mama, tiss." Beth kissed him all over his face, making him giggle.
"Is that good?"
"Yeah. Dada tiss." Jack smiled and kissed him too.
Later that night, they sat out on the stone patio behind the cabin where Jack had built a fire in the pit. Beth held a sleepy Linc who was drinking his milk and Jack strummed on his guitar.
"This is perfect, Jack. I don't think I've ever been this happy."
Jack started singing Callum Scott's, "You Are the Reason."
"There goes my heart beating
'Cause you are the reason
I'm losing my sleep
Please come back now
There goes my mind racing
And you are the reason
That I'm still breathing
I'm hopeless now
I'd climb every mountain
And swim every ocean
Just to be with you
And fix what I've broken
Oh, 'cause I need you to see
That you are the reason
There goes my hand shaking
And you are the reason
My heart keeps bleeding
I need you now
If I could turn back the clock
I'd make sure the light defeated the dark
I'd spend every hour, of every day
Keeping you safe
And I'd climb every mountain
And swim every ocean
Just to be with you
And fix what I've broken
Oh, 'cause I need you to see
That you are the reason, oh
(I don't wanna fight no more)
(I don't wanna hurt no more)
(I don't wanna cry no more)
(Come back, I need you to hold me closer now)
You are the reason, oh
(Just a little closer now)
(Come a little closer now)
(I need you to hold me tonight)
I'd climb every mountain
And swim every ocean
Just to be with you
And fix what I've broken
'Cause I need you to see
That you are the reason"
Jack couldn't deny that everything that had happened recently had changed his life completely. But in his mind and heart, this was the way it was supposed to be and he was going to enjoy every moment of it.