Elizabeth glanced at the clock. Nathan was due to call in about half an hour. They had settled into a routine of talking for almost an hour every night for the past two weeks. She hadn't seen him in person as much, except when he picked up or dropped off Allie, and that had been intentional on their part. They wanted to make sure they were doing things right and reduce the risk of anyone suspecting they were dating. But Nathan said he had a surprise planned for them on Saturday. Elizabeth couldn't wait to see what it was.
Allie continued to have up days and down days at school. For the most part, she was playing well with her friends, but every so often she would sit listlessly at her desk, refusing to move. Sometimes she would lay her head down and appear to be resting.
Elizabeth gave her space when she needed it. Nathan had told her that they were three meetings in with Dr. Miller, and she was happy with Allie's progress. In fact, she was surprised the child was doing so well. Elizabeth took comfort in that. Part of her wanted Allie to be fully engaged and happy already, but she knew it was going to take some time.
She busied herself with dishes and cleaning, thankful that the time passed quickly. Soon her phone was ringing, and she answered immediately. "Hi, Nathan."
"Hey, Elizabeth," he replied. She could hear his smile through the line. "How are you?"
"Good," she said. "Today went smoothly. How about you?"
His chuckled sounded wry. "I assigned a ten page report for my students today. I don't think I'm very popular with them right now."
Elizabeth laughed. "Comes with being in the teaching field, Professor."
"You're in the teaching field, Miss Thatcher, and I'm pretty sure all your students adore you."
She laughed again. "Of course they do. Until I tell them it's time to clean up or that they can't take toys from their friends or it's time to come in from recess. Then I'm mean."
"What a taskmaster you are," Nathan teased.
They laughed together, then Nathan asked what was on their list for tonight. Elizabeth glanced at the paper to see what the next question was. They had been making their way down the list, and they usually only got through a few before it was time to say goodnight. She was learning more about him, and she found herself feeling more and more connected to him as they grew closer through knowledge of each other.
"What is your ideal vacation and why?" Elizabeth said, reading the question out loud.
Nathan was quiet for a moment. "Hmm. Probably Disneyland."
Elizabeth's mouth fell open. "Seriously?" That was the last thing she would have expected him to say. "Disneyland?"
Nathan chuckled. "Yes. They don't call it a magical place for nothing."
Intrigued, Elizabeth tilted her head. "I sense a story here," she commented, waiting for him to continue.
"You're right, there is one," Nathan admitted. "Back when we were children, our parents would take me and Colleen to Disneyland once a year. Those are some of my favorite childhood memories, when we were all happy and together. We usually spent a week in California to be sure we could make every ride we wanted to. Colleen and I would take turns deciding where to go next. It was a week of pure fun and excitement. We stopped going when Colleen turned eighteen, but we always talked about going back." His voice became a little sad. "In fact, we had planned on going this past summer, taking Allie for her first trip to Disneyland. But with the accident, I just didn't have the heart to go. Maybe this upcoming summer I'll take her. I'd love to share that experience with her." He paused, his voice becoming soft and vulnerable. "And I'd like to share it with you as well."
Butterflies fluttered furiously in Elizabeth's stomach. She placed a hand over it, trying not to gasp at her reaction to those words. How could something so simple affect her so deeply? "I'd love that, Nathan," she responded, hoping he couldn't hear how breathless she was.
"If all goes well, maybe we can start planning in February or March?" Nathan asked. Elizabeth could tell he was testing the waters, and she was fully open to the idea.
"Let's plan on that," she said, warmth curling through her. The fact that he wanted to include her in Allie's first trip to a place he loved and held cherished memories said a lot. Their relationship might be new, but he was thinking long term.
As if he could read her thoughts, Nathan spoke again. "Elizabeth, I know that is a huge step in a relationship, taking a trip together to a place that means a lot to one of us. Is that moving too fast?"
"No," Elizabeth said firmly, certain of her answer. "It's not too fast. You said we wouldn't start planning for four or five months. If we're still dating at that point, that will have been plenty of time."
She could sense him smiling through the phone. "I'm glad you feel that way."
Though he couldn't see her, Elizabeth's cheeks pinkened at the tenderness in his voice. They were both quiet for a moment, taking in the implications of what they were saying. Finally, Nathan inhaled deeply, shaking himself out of some kind of reverie. "What about you, Elizabeth? What is your ideal vacation?"
She thought for a moment before replying. "It's nothing terribly exotic, but I would love to spend a week in Glacier National Park. I love hiking and all kinds of outdoor activities. The pictures I've seen are gorgeous. I'd love to spend a week in a cabin, just taking each day as it comes and deciding what to do from day to day." She hesitated, wondering at the wisdom of saying anything further.
"What is it?" Nathan asked, sensing she had more to say.
Elizabeth bit her lip. "I always thought it would be a great place for a honeymoon."
Silence met her statement, and for a moment she thought it might have been too much. But when Nathan spoke again, she heard the smile in his voice. "I'll keep that in mind," he said, his voice low.
The butterflies started again with a vengeance. Elizabeth caught her breath, a vision suddenly forming in her mind. A life with Nathan, with Allie. With children of their own. She blinked, amazed at how easily she could picture a life with him. She was even more amazed to realize that she wanted that life with him. They were deeply connected, despite the fact that they had known each other for barely a month.
She had heard of people who knew the person for them upon first meeting. She had never put much stock in it. But now she wondered. Nathan made her feel things she'd never felt before, even just talking on the phone. She wouldn't go so far as saying she was in love with him, but she knew it wouldn't be hard to fall.
And she was excited to let the journey play out.
Jack whistled as he walked into the station. The lightness that he had felt after his talk with Rosemary was still with him. Forgiveness had indeed had an impact for the better. Rosemary had invited him to dinner and games at her boyfriend's house this evening, saying there would be a few other people there as well. He had accepted, and he was genuinely looking forward to it.
The work day was relatively uneventful. They had found the man who assaulted Rosemary. She identified him and he was now behind bars. Jack was finishing up the paperwork for that case, thankful that it was cut and dry. He'd worked many cases that had been left open, which tore him apart every time. Whenever a bad guy got off, Jack seethed. His sense of justice was strong, and he hated when justice wasn't served.
He finished his paperwork, said goodbye to his coworkers, and headed to Lee's house. After knocking at the door, he was immediately welcomed in by Lee with a warm hello and handshake. Lee ushered him inside. "Jack's here, folks!" he called out.
Rosemary came out with a smile, giving Jack a hug. "It's good to see you," she said sincerely.
Jack smiled at her. "You too, Rosie."
They pulled back, and Jack was surprised to see Faith standing with Lee. "Hey, Jack," she said, a shy smile on her face.
Jack's stomach jolted when he saw her. They had seen each other a few times since their dinner date, but he hadn't yet asked her out. He had spent some time soul-searching, wondering if it was fair to ask her to enter a dating relationship with him if he was planning on leaving in eleven months. He still didn't have an answer.
"Hi, Faith," he replied.
Rosemary took Lee's arm. "Lee, honey, I think we need to go check on the burgers."
"Huh?" Lee said, looking confused. Rosemary gave him a look, and Lee's brows rose. "Oh! Right. Yes, we need to go check on those."
Jack's eyes narrowed, a sudden suspicion sweeping over him. "Is anyone else coming?" he asked, looking right at Rosemary, remembering her matchmaking tendencies from their childhood years.
She blinked at him innocently. "No. Just the four of us this evening." She smiled sweetly, whisking Lee from the room, leaving Jack and Faith alone.
An awkward silence descended between them. Jack licked his lips nervously. "I owe you an explanation, Faith."
She looked up at him, folding her arms across her chest in an unconscious defensive posture. "You don't owe me anything, Jack," she said quietly. "There is no understanding between us."
Jack felt a pang in his heart. He could see that he had hurt her with his silence, but she was trying to be brave. Unconsciously, he took her hands in his, holding them to his chest. "Faith, I like you. A lot. In fact, if I'm honest, it frightens me. I've been used to casual, noncommitted dating for years. I haven't had a girlfriend since…" He stopped suddenly, wondering what she knew about his relationship with Rosemary.
She smiled slightly. "I know you and Rosemary were engaged, Jack," she said softly.
"Ah," he said, a wry smile on his face. "I haven't been in a relationship since her. The way things ended between us made me gun-shy with relationships. And like I said, I like you. But it's been so long...I don't even know if I know how to be in a committed relationship. And I'm leaving in less than a year. I feel like it wouldn't be fair to you to start something when it might not go anywhere…"
Faith tilted her head, her hands still captured in his. "Jack, life is uncertain," she said, her eyes tearing slightly. "We can't live in fears or what ifs. Maybe you're right and this wouldn't be worth pursuing. But maybe it would be." She took a deep breath. "I like you a lot too. Don't we owe it to ourselves to see what could be?"
Jack felt a sudden desire to kiss her, but he resisted. He wasn't about to play with her heart without seeing where this was headed. He gazed into her eyes, a smile breaking free. "Yes," he said, cupping her cheek in his head. "Yes, I think we should see what could be." His hand fell to her shoulder. "Will you go out with me, Faith Carter? Officially?"
She smiled, happiness shining in her eyes. "Yes, Jack. Absolutely."
"How's Sunday?" he asked. "We can go to Chicago for the day, maybe take in a play at the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre and then get dinner on the pier?"
Faith's mouth dropped. "Really? Jack, that sounds amazing!"
He smiled. "I'll see what's playing, and we'll make a day trip."
Faith laughed. "I can't wait." She looked at him with glowing eyes. "Mostly because it'll be with you."
He tucked a curl behind her ear. "Me too."
Lee and Rosemary came back in, catching Jack and Faith together. Rosemary clapped her hands with a little giggle. "You see?" she said, looking triumphantly at Lee. "I told you!"
Lee gave a little smile and shake of his head. "It would seem you were right, sweetheart," he said. Holding up the plate of burgers, he looked between them. "Ready to eat?"
"Yes," Jack said, stepping back slightly. He motioned for Faith to precede him to the table. Rosemary took her arm, excitedly asking her what had happened. Lee chuckled, looking at Jack. "You realize you're never going to hear the end of this, right?"
Jack smiled in a self-deprecating manner. "Yeah, I know. But that's okay." He looked at Faith. "I don't know how I know, but I get the sense Faith is worth it."
Lee nodded. "She is, Jack." He leveled a warning look at him. "You be good to her. She's like a sister to me, and I don't want to see her get hurt."
Jack couldn't blame Lee for the warning. He understood the protective instinct well. "You have my word I'll treat her well," he said solemnly. "I have no intention of hurting her."
"Even unintentionally?" Lee asked.
"Even unintentionally," Jack affirmed. "I've been upfront about the fact that I'm leaving. Faith accepts that. I promise you I'll keep open communication with her, Lee."
"Good," Lee said, accepting his answer. "Then we'll get along just fine, Jack." He smiled. "And yeah. Rosie is going to gloat over this match for years if something comes of it."
Jack chuckled. "Even though Faith and I figured it out on our own and had been on a date before this?"
Lee nodded. "Oh yeah. Even then."
Jack smiled. He was fine with that.