William had reserved a room at The Lodge for their lunch. Jack's friends, Rosemary and Lee, Abigail, Bill, Cody and Becky, Charlotte and Tom, William and Grace, Julie, Faith, Pastor Frank Hogan and a few others were all there when Jack and Elizabeth arrived. Charlotte and Grace were the first to notice a new smile on Jack and Elizabeth's faces; one different than they had seen in the past. They glanced at each other and smiled, knowing their children had fallen in love with each other and hoping they had finally admitted it to one another.

Jack enjoyed some more time with his fellow soldiers. He had missed the camaraderie that he shared with his brothers. The men caught him up on the training they had been going through; PFC Bearden was bragging about holding the highest score in the rifle marksmanship test.

Abigail approached Elizabeth, who was sitting and smiling, watching Jack interact with the soldiers. "You have a different look about you today, Elizabeth."

"What? What do you mean?"

"You look like a woman in love."

Elizabeth could feel her cheeks grow warm, "I am."

"And Jack appears to return the affection." Abigail nodded in Jack's direction.

Elizabeth turned to find Jack watching her, smiling. She looked back at Abigail, "Yes, he does."

"I'm so happy for you, Elizabeth. He seems like a very nice man."

"He is, Abigail. He's very special."

Lunch was wonderful and everyone had a great time. Elizabeth had missed her friends and loved catching up with them. Jack was in better spirits too, happier than Elizabeth had ever seen him. Charlotte had noticed the change in her son too and voiced it to Elizabeth and her family.

"Jack was such a happy little boy and young man until his father passed; then he changed. I have never seen that version of Jack return...until today. My old Jack is here and I have you to thank for that, Elizabeth." Charlotte pulled her into a warm embrace, a few tears slipping down her cheek.

"I didn't do this by myself, Charlotte. God had his hand in this."

"Yes, that he has."

Once they had Jack changed and settled back in his bed, everyone went home, leaving Jack and Elizabeth alone.

"That was the b...best gift, Elizabeth. Thank you f...for everything."

Elizabeth brushed her fingers through his hair. "You're welcome, Jack."

"And is it j...just me, or was there s...something g...g...going on between Julie and Tom?"

"You saw that too? I thought my mind was playing tricks on me."

"Nope."

Jack brushed his hand along Elizabeth's cheek then ran it through her long, brown hair. He stopped his hand on her neck, the warmth of his hand sending chills down her spine. Rubbing his thumb along her jawline, he pulled her in to his lips, kissing her with more love and passion than he ever had before. His kisses were gentle yet deliberate. When she pulled back, Jack just sat, staring at her.

"What?" Elizabeth finally asked.

He took her hand in his, kissing the top of it. "I love you so much, Elizabeth. More than I thought possible." He placed her hand over his heart, "you have my whole heart."

"I love you too, Jack."

Elizabeth turned and laid on the bed alongside Jack, her arm wrapped tightly around Jack, Jack running his fingers up and down her arm. They remained that way, enjoying the comfort of each other's embrace, breathing in the scent of the other.

Elizabeth began to hum a familiar tune.

"What's that?" Jack asked.

"Bless the Broken Road by Rascal Flatts."

"Can you s...sing it to me?"

Elizabeth began to softly sing it to him. Jack was in awe of her singing voice; she was amazing. He thought she had the voice of an angel.

I set out on a narrow way many years ago
Hoping I would find true love along the broken road
But I got lost a time or two
Wiped my brow and kept pushin' through
I couldn't see how every sign pointed straight to you

Every long lost dream led me to where you are
Others who broke my heart
They were like northern stars
Pointing me on my way into your loving arms
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you
Yes, He did

The words were touching Jack in way that Elizabeth was not aware of; Jack felt as if the song had been written just for him and the paths he had chosen. He had some things in his past that he wanted to share with her, but was afraid to. He didn't want to do anything that might jeopardize their new relationship.

When she finished the song, Jack gently tipped her chin up toward his face and softly kissed her. "That was b...b...beautiful, Elizabeth. You have an amazing v...voice."

"Thank you, Jack," she blushed.

"C...can you sing some more?"

She sang two more songs to him. Jack felt what little anxiety he was still feeling melt away as she sang. Elizabeth had that effect on him; he hated it when she was gone.

After she finished singing, she sat up and looked at Jack, "I really need to get going. I have to return to work tomorrow. I'll stop by after school though, I'll be bringing kids by to do their reading program so I'll come see you while they read to the soldiers."

Jack gave her his best pouty face, "Oh, alright."

She laughed and leaned in to give him a kiss goodnight. "I love you. Have good night."

"I w...will now," he smiled at her.

Elizabeth was feeling bitter sweet about returning to school. She missed her students but she also wanted to be with Jack. Her students were very excited to have her back so that made her return easier.

The next two weeks surprisingly flew by for both Jack and Elizabeth. She kept busy with her work; at first playing catch up of the time she'd missed, then preparing her students for year-end tests.

Jack was kept busy with therapy. His speech therapy was going very well and he was almost back to his old self in that matter. Around Elizabeth, he could speak clearly now. His cast on his leg was to be removed soon and his leg reevaluated.

Colonel Thatcher had come through on his promise and a mental health therapist had been coming by three times a week to talk with Jack. He was slowly feeling better and the nightmares were fewer, but they hadn't stopped yet.

Friday, after school, Elizabeth stopped by to see Jack but he wasn't in his room. She found Faith and asked her where he was. Faith took her to the third floor and down the hall to a rehab room, where Jack was up and walking. Elizabeth smiled and looked at Faith then back at Jack.

"Go ahead," Faith said to her.

Elizabeth stepped in and watched as they worked with Jack. His cast had been removed and he was now wearing a walking cast. The splint on his hand was even gone and he was wearing just a brace. Jack looked up and saw Elizabeth watching him. He smiled at her and motioned for her to come closer.

"Wow, look at you, Sergeant," she said once she was near him. She leaned onto a balance rail and watched as a physical therapist steadied Jack as he worked through some exercises to strengthen his muscles that hadn't been used in weeks.

After ten more minutes of exercises, the therapist helped Jack back to his wheelchair and pushed him over to Elizabeth

"Hey, gorgeous." Jack said once he was in front of her.

Elizabeth noticed a difference in him, in his smile. His spirits were up and his smile lingered on his lips much longer than it had been. Even his dimples were being displayed a lot more and making Elizabeth's heart skip a beat.

"Hello, handsome. You were looking pretty good over there."

"Thanks. It is wonderful to get one step closer to freedom."

"Need help getting back to your room, Sergeant Thornton?" The physical therapist asked.

"No, Sam. I'm good. Thanks, and see ya Monday."

Jack wheeled himself out into the hall while Elizabeth walked next to him. Once they were in the hall, Jack stopped and took Elizabeth's hand.

"Come here," he said, pulling her toward him. "Have a seat." He was smiling ear to ear.

Elizabeth sat across Jack's lap and gave him a sweet kiss.

"Ready?" He asked her.

"Ready."

Jack wheeled them down the hall to the elevator. Once they were on it and the elevator doors were closed, Jack turned Elizabeth's head toward him and planted a very deep, passionate kiss on her. Both of his arms were wrapped around her for the first time ever and she loved the feeling of it. She kissed Jack back with just as much intensity, both of their hearts were racing. She pulled away to catch her breath. Jack pushed her hair out of her face then ran his hand down her cheek. He pulled her in for another passionate kiss as the doors opened.

"Eh hem."

Jack and Elizabeth slowly turned their heads to see who was there to find both of their mothers staring at them, arms crossed, feet tapping.

"Hi, Ma." Jack said, grinning, as he wheeled them off the elevator.

"Don't 'hi, ma' me." She said, teasingly but yet with a hint of seriousness in her voice.

Once they were off the elevator, Elizabeth got off Jack's lap and looked at her mother, cheeks red. Her mother just looked at her, eyes squinted.

The women followed Jack to his room. Elizabeth steadied him as he pulled himself onto his bed. Once he was settled, the four enjoyed some conversation; no one bringing up the elevator incident.

After a while, both mothers left, leaving Jack and Elizabeth alone again.

"Can you help me up?" Jack asked Elizabeth once they knew their mothers were gone.

"Sure, but why?"

"There's something I have been wanting to do since I met you."

"Okay," Elizabeth replied, confused.

She helped him out of the bed and into a standing position. "Over toward that wall." Jack pointed.

Elizabeth steadied him as they walked toward the far wall. When they were within a couple feet of the wall, Jack took Elizabeth's arm, turning her to face him. He pushed her up against the wall and kissed her, pressing his body against hers. Elizabeth wrapped her arms around his neck, matching his enthusiasm.

Jack pulled back and cupped her face in his hands. "I love you so much, Elizabeth. I would not be where I am if it wasn't for you."

"Oh, Jack. You did this. You did the hard work."

"I did the work, but I did it for you. You gave me a reason to get better, to do the work." He rubbed both of her cheeks with his thumbs then met her lips with his, giving her a very soft, loving kiss.

"I love you too, Jack," she said, before pulling him in for another deep kiss.

Jack loved how bold Elizabeth had been getting in her kissing. She had a timidness at the beginning; but as time went on and their love had grown, so had her actions.

Jack could feel the fire within him burning stronger for her. He had to constantly remind himself to hold back and calm down, but standing here with her like this, his desire for her took over.

He pressed his body tighter against her and Elizabeth could feel just how much he wanted her. He reached for the bottom of her shirt, and began to pull it up only to be stopped by her.

"Jack, please."

Jack backed off, shaking his head. "I'm so sorry, Elizabeth." He stepped back away from her, forgetting about his weak legs and fell against a chair before landing on the floor. He punched his good hand against the padding of the chair then held his face in his hands.

Elizabeth knelt down next to him, gently pulling his hands away from his face so she could see him. He looked up at her, fear in his eyes.

"I'm so sorry. I got too carried away. I should have stopped but I love you so much and..."

"Jack," Elizabeth cut him off. "I'm not mad."

He looked back into her eyes and could see the love she had for him. He wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her onto his lap, straddling his legs. He cupped her face in his hands again, his eyes darting from her eyes to lips and back to her eyes again. He pulled her in for a small kiss, this time keeping his desire in check. He wrapped his arms back around her waist, holding her tight, his face in her neck.

They remained that way for a minute, holding each other, until Faith walked in.

"What happened?" she asked when she saw the overturned chair and the couple on the floor.

Elizabeth turned to see Faith staring at them. "Jack wanted to do a little extra walking but lost his balance."

"Are you alright, Jack?" Faith asked him.

Jack let out a little laugh, "Ya, I'm fine. I just need help standing back up."

Elizabeth slid off his lap and stood, taking his hands in hers. Faith got behind him and helped pull him up. The two steadied him as he made his way back to the bed and climbed in.

Once he was settled, Faith shot her friend and knowing glance and Elizabeth grinned and shrugged her shoulders.

Faith shook her head and left the room.

"Well, that was awkward," Jack laughed.

Elizabeth let out a small giggle, "We need to be more careful, Jack." Her expression turned more serious. "In more ways than one."

Jack knew where she was going with that comment. "I know, Elizabeth. Again, I am so sorry. I will try harder to control my urges around you." He brushed her hair back from her face, then ran his thumb along her bottom lip. "But those lips will make it challenging."

Elizabeth leaned down and kissed Jack; a short, gentle kiss but full of love.

"It's not just you, Jack. I had a hand in that too. We both need to be careful." She ran her fingers through his unruly hair. Jack gave her a big smile and she ran her thumb over his dimples, "and these...these will do me in," she smiled back.

"How about a date night in with some T.V."

"That sounds great, Jack."

"Come up here," Jack pulled the blanket back, inviting her to lay next to him. "Let see what's on." He began flipping through channels.

When he went past a movie, Elizabeth liked, she grabbed his hand, "No, can you go back?"

Jack went back a couple channels, stopping on a Transformers movie. "This one?" He asked.

"Yes, I love these."

Jack looked at her, smiling, "I think I just fell a little deeper in love with you which I didn't know was possible."

She tipped her head up toward him and grinned, "I'm full of surprises."

The following morning, after a talk with Grace, William decided to make another trip to see the young Sergeant that had his daughter's heart. He was going to wear his uniform as that seemed to intimidate Jack, but at the last minute, he decided upon just casual clothes. He wanted to have a man to man talk with him, not an officer to soldier talk.

As he entered Jack's room, he could see his daughter lying in Jack's bed. Her arm across his chest, her leg over his; Jack had his arms around her, holding her tight. He decided on a different tactic that morning and approached the pair, gently tapping on Elizabeth's arm.

Elizabeth blinked against the sleep, her father's face coming in to focus. Then she realized where she was, her eyes widened.

William raised his hand, motioning with his finger for her to follow him.

Elizabeth quietly slipped out of Jack's grasped without waking him and followed her dad out into the hall.

"Beth, I know that you're a grown woman, but this is inappropriate."

"I know dad, I'm sorry. We were watching T.V. last night and I guess we both just fell asleep."

"Your mother had a talk with me last night when she and Charlotte returned from their visit. Apparently, there was a little incident on the elevator too?" William crossed his arms.

Elizabeth could feel the heat entering her cheeks. "Yes, dad."

"I can't tell you what to do. All I can do is try to point you in the right direction and pray that you make the right decisions."

"I know, dad. And trust me when I say, you already have. I know the path before me and I have no intentions on veering off of it. Jack and I actually already had this conversation last night and we will be more careful."

"I hope so, Beth. Like I said before, I trust you. I just don't know if I trust him with this matter."

"You can, dad."

"I hope so. Why don't you head home? I'll stay with Jack. I'd like to talk with him."

"Oh, dad. No. Please. Just let this be."

"Beth, I just want to have a nice conversation with the boy."

"He's not a boy, dad. He's a decorated soldier."

"Yes, I have not forgotten that."

Elizabeth retrieved her purse, wanting to warn Jack, but he was still sleeping. She sighed then left the room.

Jack stirred, stretching his arms out, then felt the bed where Elizabeth had been earlier. When he didn't feel her, he opened his eyes and sat up. "Elizabeth?"

"No, Jack. It's me. Colonel Thatcher."

Jack sat up straight, staring at the colonel. "Yes, sir."

"Calm down, Jack. I just stopped by to chat."

Jack relaxed, but only a little. "How are you, sir?"

"I'm good. And you can call me William when I'm not in uniform."

"Yes, sir...I mean...William. Hard habit."

"Good habit."

"Yes, s...William."

"So, I understand you and my daughter have been...let's say... very open about your affection toward one another."

Oh crap, Jack thought to himself. "Um, yes. A little."

"Nothing wrong with that, son. As long as your intentions are good."

"My intentions?"

"Yes, where do you see yourself and my daughter going?"

"Sir?"

"Jack, do you have plans with my daughter? Plans that go beyond these hospital walls?"

"Of course, sir. I am madly in love with Elizabeth. I hope to have a long future with her."

William was impressed by the confidence of which Jack spoke to him with that last sentence. He believed that Jack loved his daughter and wanted a future with her.

"Very good. Now, something else I'd like to talk to you about."

"Yes, William."

"I have no idea about your past and I'm not going to try to guess, but I want you to know that Beth is...well...inexperienced in matters of the heart and what evolves from that. Do you understand what I am saying?"

"I believe I do, sir." Jack nodded. "And I had already gathered that bit of information in Elizabeth's actions. I wanted you to know that. And I would never do anything to hurt her or dishonor her."

"That is very good to know, Jack. I appreciate your candor with me." William sat quietly for a brief moment as Jack waited to hear what he would say next. "What are your plans when you get out of here?"

"My plans? With my career?"

"Yes."

"I plan to retire from the army, sir. I'm a soldier and will always be a soldier."

"What if that isn't possible?"

"What do you mean? Why wouldn't it be?"

"If you can't get your leg and hand back enough to satisfy the Army, you could be medically discharged. You are aware of that aren't you?"

"Yes, but I have no intentions on getting medically discharged, sir. I will do whatever is necessary to get back out there where I belong."

"Jack, you have to be prepared that you might not be able to."

"No, sir. That is not an option."

William had dealt with soldiers like Jack more times than he could count over his career; and he knew there was no point in arguing with him. "What about Beth?"

"Beth, sir? What about her?"

"How do you think she will handle you going back to war?"

"I think she would handle it just fine. She is a very strong, independent woman. She grew up with you being sent into the same situations so she knows what she's getting into. And sir, I would remind her every chance I get that I will try my hardest to always return to her."

William, being extremely satisfied with Jack's answers, nodded his head. "I believe you, son."

Jack's eyes welled with tears; he was fighting hard to keep them hidden. Talks with William always took Jack back to times with his own father.

"Now, with all that said, how about we tone down the PDA between you and Beth." William grinned as he spoke.

"Yes, sir." Jack smiled back.