August, three years later

Jack and Beth loaded lots of stuff and both kids in the SUV and drove to the cabin where they had spent a short honeymoon over four years before.

Shae was about three years old now and healthy and happy.. She had her Daddy's dimples and soft curls like her Mommy.

"Mama? Where are we goin?" Six year old Linc asked.

"To the cabin. There's a lake and we can go swimming and ride bikes too."

"I like it there."

They all did. And this time, Mike, Bree and their family were coming too, staying in the cabin right next door.

Two years ago, when Nash was just a year old, Bree found out she was pregnant again. This time to their daughter, Oaklyn. Mike was completely in love with his daughter, much like Jack with Shae.

So after everyone got settled, they met in the backyards and sat in the shade to talk while the kids played.

Jack handed Mike and Bree a beer, knowing Beth didn't like it. So he handed her a bottle of water. "Thanks, babe."

He smiled at her. "You're welcome. You can have a sip of mine if you want."

"No thanks."

Bree took Mike's hand and squeezed. "We have news," she told them. "And no, I'm not pregnant."

Beth laughed. "How did you know that's what I was thinking?" she teased.

"Just a hunch."

Mike cleared his throat. "I applied for a job in Montpelier. At the police department there."

"That's great, bro. I'm glad you are going to be back on the force."

"Yeah, me too. I got the call this morning that I got the job. We plan on leaving in about two weeks. We found a bigger house outside the city and we want to get settled by the time school starts for X and Tate."

Beth fought to keep her tears at bay. Crazy hormones. "I have news too." Everyone looked at her and then Oaklyn started crying, toddling over to her parents. She was a beautiful little girl.

Mike picked her up and handed her a sippy cup of juice. She snuggled into his arms and closed her eyes. Nash noticed that his little sister was getting Daddy's attention so he wandered over and lifted his arms to Mike.

"Nash, I can hold you, bud," Bree told him.

Nash stuck his thumb in his mouth and shook his head. Mike gently pulled his thumb out of his mouth and handed him a sippy cup too. Then he picked him up as well, his arms now full.

"What were you saying, Beth?" Mike asked.

"Abigail and I have been talking about expanding Aggie's."

"Expanding?"

"Well, opening a second one, closer to Essex."

"Does that mean that you are moving too?" Bree asked.

"No, Abigail and Frank are going to move there."

Thankfully, Shae wandered over for some attention, distracting Beth, but unfortunately not stopping her tears.

"Beth?" Bree said, concerned. "It isn't that far. It only takes like forty minutes to get there from here. We will visit."

"I'm just going to miss you and I was hoping that you would help me run Aggie's since Abigail is leaving."

"Oh. I'm sorry."

"No, don't be sorry. Be happy, Bree. You and Mike have a great family together. Don't be sorry," she repeated, getting up and handing Shae to Jack before rushing into the house.

Bree followed her a moment later. "Beth?" She found her sitting on the floor in the bathroom. "Not feeling well?"

"No, not really."

"How far along are you?"

"Three months."

"So Jack doesn't know yet?"

"No. I just figured it out myself. I'm telling him tonight at dinner."

"I'm guessing it wasn't planned."

"No, Aggie's is doing so well. We made an offer on a property near Essex and then now this. It's just not good timing." She wiped her tears and got up to brush her teeth. "Don't get me wrong. I love this baby already, just knowing he or she is in there and that it's a part of Jack and me together. I just wish it had been more of a choice. Maybe that's selfish."

"It's not, Beth. You have always been a planner. But think about it. The best things in your life were not planned. You didn't plan to fall in love with Jack, did you? Or to become a wife and mother within just a few weeks of each other? Or love Linc as much as you do?"

Beth gave Bree a big hug. "Thank you for that. You are so right. I just need to remember to be thankful for the many blessings I have."

"And I will absolutely bring the kids out to visit you. A lot. You will be sick of me."

Beth laughed and linked their arms. "Not gonna happen, friend."

That evening, Linc asked to sleep over with Tate and Xavier so dinner was just Beth, Jack and Shae. However, Beth fed Shae early, gave her a bath and put her in her pj's so that she and Jack would have more time alone.

Jack brought in the steaks and corn on the cob from the grill, putting the plate on the counter. "Oh, Shae's in bed?"

"Yeah. I thought maybe we could benefit from some time alone."

"You know how much I love alone time," he flirted, his lips on hers quickly.

"Mmhm. I'm well aware."

"My wife is a genius."

"I um...I've been pretty emotional lately. Maybe you noticed."

"Yeah. But that's okay."

"And tired."

"Well, you are a busy woman. Two small kids and a booming business."

"And nauseated. A lot."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. I put those things together and I thought that maybe I should see what's going on. So, I took a test."

"Beth…"

"I'm pregnant, Jack. About twelve weeks."

"Woohoo!" he yelled, picking her up and twirling her around. "Honey! That is great!"

"Are you sure? I mean, with the new location for Aggie's...I'm going to be working more. I need help."

"Ah. And that was supposed to be Bree, wasn't it?"

"Yeah. Now, I don't know what I'm going to do."

"Clara. She and Jesse could use the extra income."

Her brother and sister-in-law had been struggling and were actually thinking about moving in with William and Grace. Their daughter Rylie had been diagnosed with an auto-immune disorder and they had tons of doctor bills.

"Now who's the genius?" she asked, kissing him soundly. "Amazing. I'm going to call her right now."

He caught her hand as she started walking away. "Maybe wait until tomorrow. I want this alone time you were talking about."

The next morning, Jack and Mike took Xavier, Tate, Nash and Linc fishing while Beth and Bree stayed back with the little girls.

"So is Jack happy?" Bree asked, a knowing smile on her face.

"Yeah," Beth said with a giggle. "He even came up with an idea for who I should ask to work at Aggie's with me."

"That's great. Who?"

"Clara."

"That's a good idea. They could use the money for sure."

"Yeah. I'm going to call her in a few minutes. Run it past her."

"Beth?"

"Yeah."

"Promise me that we'll keep in touch."

"I promise. Maybe we can come here every year. Make it a family tradition."

"Yeah. I'm sure going to miss you."

Down at the lake, they boys had gotten bored with fishing so now, they were about ten feet away, playing tag.

"Do you think this is crazy? Moving away?"

"Of course not. Its not even an hour away and you deserve this job, Mike. You deserve a bigger house and to live your life. Honestly, Maple Hills was probably holding you back."

"Is it holding you back, Jack?"

"No. I love being Sheriff now and Beth's business is doing so well. I'm sure we will be here for many years to come."

And that was something Jack was happy about. It was a good place to raise their family. It was quiet and peaceful and safe. What else could he want?

That night, after the kids were sleeping in their beds, Jack found Beth outside by the firepit, watching the stars.

"Hey, honey."

"Hey," she whispered as he sat down next to her.

"The kids are asleep."

"Thank you."

"What's on your heart, Beth?"

"You. You and Linc and Shae and this new little one. I'm so full of love for all of you."

"And you're happy?"

"Very happy."

That was all that mattered to him.

THE END