March roared in like a lion as another winter storm blew through Hope Valley. The residents of the town and all the outlaying farms were confined to their homes for another three days. Once the temperature began to warm again, and some of the snow melted, Jack returned to work and began his rounds to check on all the families. They hadn't received near the amount of snow as the first blizzard, but still enough to make it difficult for horses.

Sergeant eased his way through the snow as Jack guided him through the shallowest areas; weaving back and forth, one high-lifted step at a time, extending their ride but a necessary caution. With everyone safe and accounted for, Jack returned to the jail and his normal routine.

The town was beginning to return to some normalcy as well, as the snow melted once again. The stage was running, an occasional visitor would pass through, the café was buzzing with business as was the saloon from the saw mill employees who had finally been able to return to work.

Jesse and Clara were planning for their spring wedding; dresses were being fitted and sewn, flowers picked out, and the menu created. Lucas and Fiona had been seen enjoying a few meals together and seemed to be getting close. Even Frank appeared to be getting close to Cat Montgomery; he had been spending a lot of time with her and the kids at their house. Rumors were flying around town that Bill might be getting close to proposing to Dottie; Bill would just make a gruff sound at anyone that brought it up and brush it off.

Hannah Rose was growing fast; now five months old. Her curly blonde hair and blue eyes made her an exact replica of Rosemary. Lee and Rosemary were over the moon with their little girl.

Joseph and Lillian were almost 15 months old and were very busy. Full of hugs and kisses, walking and getting into everything, even a little sass was beginning to come out; especially with Lillian. She already had her daddy wrapped around her little finger.

One Saturday afternoon, Jack had the twins outside enjoying the warm spring air. They were petting Sergeant and Rose, and Joey and Lilly would take turns squealing each time they'd touch one of the horse's noses. Both horses loved it and would occasionally lick one of the kids' hands; causing an even louder giggle.

Elizabeth sat on the back steps watching them, smiling, soaking up the sun. She closed her eyes and tipped her head back, letting the warmth wash over her. It was the first really warm day they'd had since the previous fall and Elizabeth wanted to capture as much of the warm sun as she could.

Evidence of spring was all around; the flowers that Elizabeth had planted along the house last year were popping up, buds covered the trees, new birds were arriving every day and their songs filled the air with a glorious melody. The horses were shedding their winter coats and clumps of hair littered their pen. They would take turns rolling in the grass, trying to help nature rid them of the extra coverage. Elizabeth knew Jack would be out later that day to help them out even more by brushing them.

Children's laughter filled the air along with the synchronized lyrics of the blue jays. Elizabeth turned her gaze back to her family to find Jack chasing the twins across the yard. They had quickly learned to run in opposite directions to confuse their dad on which way to go, and he would fall to ground, soon to be attacked by two small, giggling tickle monsters. Jack's laugh joined the chorus as the twins tickled him and climbed all over him. He would tickle them back and all three would roll around in the fresh, young grass that grew all around their house. Elizabeth was glad that Jack had let the horses out throughout the previous summer to keep the grass eaten down so the twins had a nice yard to play in.

Elizabeth decided to join the fun and ran out to the kids, tickled each one and Jack, then took off at a slow jog, not to get too far ahead of them. But it was Jack that snuck up on her, grabbed her around the waist and brought her down to the ground with himself; soon after, attacked once again by the twins. The family of four rolled in the grass, played, laughed and chased each other over the next hour until the twins were near passing out from exhaustion.

Elizabeth with Lilly and Jack with Joey, slowly walked back to the house to put the twins down for a quick nap before dinner.

Jack washed up and found Elizabeth sitting on the front porch on the swing he had built for her last year. He joined her and wrapped his arm around her, and Elizabeth leaned into him and rested her head on his shoulder.

He leaned forward slightly and looked down at her face and could see that she was deeply lost in thought.

"Something on your mind?" He asked as he leaned back.

Without moving, she answered. "What if this is it?"

Jack could hear an edge to her voice that he didn't like. He pushed her up with his shoulder then turned in the seat to face her. "What do you mean?"

Her gaze dropped to her hands before answering. "What if I can't have any more children?" A lone tear slipped down her cheek.

"Oh, Elizabeth." Jack wrapped his arms around her and pulled her in and held her. He could feel her body begin to shake from the crying. He gently held her shoulders and pushed her back, forcing her to look at him. "We have a perfect family, Elizabeth." He tipped her chin up with his finger and thumb and kissed her softly on the lips. "I'll be happy with the just the twins. It doesn't matter to me." He kissed her again. "I just need you, Joey and Lilly. That's all." He brushed a few tears from her cheeks and held her face in his hands.

"Are you sure? I know you wanted a big family."

"I'm very sure." He kissed her again. "I just need you, Elizabeth. You and the twins. I love our life just as it is."

She wrapped her arms around him and leaned against his chest for a moment then leaned back to look into his eyes. "Are you really sure?"

"Elizabeth, I don't care if we only have the twins or if we have...eight kids. I just want to spend my life with you and raise whatever children God blesses us with."

A small laugh escaped Elizabeth. "There you go, talking about eight kids again." She shook her head, smiling and continuing to let out a few little laughs.

"Two kids, eight kids, it's just a number," Jack teased.

"You give birth to them and then tell me it's just a number." Elizabeth smiled, winked and kissed him on the cheek.

…..

It was the weekend just before their second anniversary and this time, Elizabeth had a surprise for Jack. With a little help from their friends, she had everything arranged by the time Jack arrived home from work Friday evening.

Jack walked through the front door after tying Sergeant to the hitching post out front. He was anxious to see Elizabeth and would put the horse up later. The house was unusually quiet as he walked through looking for any signs of his wife or kids. Nothing. As he walked through the kitchen to go out the backdoor, he noticed a note laying on the table.

Jack, I'm at Rosemary's. I'll be back soon. Love, Elizabeth

Jack replaced the note to the table and walked to the window that faced the path to Rosemary and Lee's house. He didn't see any sign of Elizabeth yet and pulled a box from the inside pocket of his serge. He opened it and looked at the item inside, turning it over between his fingers, inspecting it carefully before returning it to the box.

Jack was in the barn putting Sergeant away when Elizabeth arrived back home. She pulled Rose to a stop at the path between the back door and the barn and climbed down. She began to walk into the house when she heard a voice behind her.

She spun around to find Jack standing right in front of her, he took her face in his hands and kissed her passionately on the lips.

"Welcome home," Jack finally said after they stopped to take a breath, as he pushed a stray curl behind her ear. He looked around and glanced in the buggy then added, "Where's Joey and Lilly?"

"They are at Rosemary's," she answered, grinning.

Jack tipped his head and looked at her sideways. "What's going on?"

"I have a little something planned this weekend for our anniversary. We are going somewhere."

Jack wrapped his arms around her waist. "And where will we be going?"

"Well, I thought it would be fun to get away from everything and go camping."

"Really?" Jack's eyes widened and glistened with excitement. "Wait, Rosemary is watching the twins and her baby?"

"With Laura's help." Elizabeth grinned.

"Oh, okay. Good." Jack let out a small laugh. "Camping sounds amazing."

Elizabeth knew he loved to get out in nature, but since he'd returned and then the twins were born, he hadn't had the opportunity to do so. "I knew you'd like that. Are you ready to go?"

"What? Now? We have so much to get ready and pack." Jack stepped back and started toward the barn.

"Everything is ready." Elizabeth stood grinning; her arms crossed.

Jack stopped and as he was turning to look at Elizabeth, he noticed his old canvas tarp covering a large number of things in the back of the buggy. He walked over and pulled the tarp back to find the tent, blankets, ax, food and everything else they would need to go camping.

"Wow," he turned his head to her, "it looks like you thought of everything."

She smiled even bigger, "That's because I did."

Jack walked up to her and wrapped his arms around her waist again. "But did you remember the matches?" He asked, grinning at her.

Elizabeth simply raised her hand and between her first and middle fingers, she was holding a box of matches.

"You did think of everything." Jack kissed her, pulling her in tight against him. "Let's go!" He grabbed her hand and started toward the buggy.

"Jack. Wait."

Jack stopped and turned to look at Elizabeth. "What?"

"We need to lock the house."

"I'll get it. You wait here." Jack ran into the house and returned a few minutes later, locking the door behind him. He was now out of his uniform and in his regular clothes.

"Wow, you changed fast."

"I'm excited." He answered, grinning ear to ear. He kissed her cheek and took her hand, helping her to her seat. He climbed up and took his spot next to her, picked up the reigns and asked, "Where to?"

…..

Just over an hour later, Jack pulled Rose to a stop in a clearing near a small river. The couple made quick work of getting the tent and campsite set up as the sun was about to set. Jack was just finishing setting the last stake into the ground and tying the rope around it, when Elizabeth walked up and handed him a cup of hot coffee.

"Mmmm." Jack murmured after taking a sip. "Coffee brewed in nature is always better." He took another drink as he followed Elizabeth back to the fire.

Elizabeth was plating dinner as the sun vanished behind the mountains, leaving a warm glow of golds and oranges. She handed a plate to Jack; steak and fried potatoes with a slice of bread.

They visited as they ate; sharing about their day at the school and jail. They talked about Jesse and Clara's upcoming wedding, how much Hannah had grown, Lucas and Fiona, along with other town happenings.

After they were done eating, Jack picked up a blanket, sat next to Elizabeth on the old maple log, and wrapped the blanket around them. They sat and stared at the fire; watching the flames dance as if they were moving to an unheard song, all waving and jumping in unison as if performing a perfectly choreographed dance. The crackling and popping of the logs as they heated seemed to set the beat to their movements.

"Does this remind you of anything?" Jack asked as he pulled the blanket to cover her shoulder.

Elizabeth turned to look at him, smiled and nodded. "The time we took the school kids camping."

Jack nodded, lifted her chin with this finger and thumb and kissed her softly on the lips. "And you are even more beautiful tonight than you were then. Though I didn't know that was even possible. I loved you so much even then and knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you."

"What took you so long?" She grinned.

"I don't know. Life. Obstacles." Jack pressed his forehead against hers. "I'm sure glad I finally got my act together."

"Me, too." Elizabeth tipped her face towards his and kissed him.

Their love and passion for one another seemed to grow with each day. Elizabeth never thought she could be so in love with someone. It was as if she'd been living within a cave and each time Jack kissed her, it brought her closer to the light. The world around her slowly coming into clearer view, the warmth of the sun engulfing her, reaching into her very being. She could see her future with more clarity and security with each day of having Jack in her life. Without him, it was like she couldn't even breathe; he was her air, her life.

Jack stood and pulled her up to face him. He picked her up and made his way carefully toward the tent. He lowered her to her feet, keeping his arm around her waist and holding her tight against his body. He reached up and pulled the pins from her hair, letting it fall in long waves and ringlets down her shoulders and back.

He pulled back the opening flap of the white canvas tent and followed her inside. They knelt onto the layers of blankets and quilts that made up their bed. Jack unbuttoned her shirt and slid it off her shoulders, letting it fall behind her. He kissed the top of her shoulder and left a trail of kisses up her neck, stopping just below her ear. Her milky, white skin was warm to the touch, but he could feel the goosebumps forming along her arms as he slid his hand across them.

Elizabeth slid her hand up the front of his shirt, stopping at the top button. She slowly worked through them, then pushed his shirt back. Jack pulled his arms from the sleeves and tossed the shirt into the corner of the tent; pants, skirt, underclothes and shoes followed.

He returned his attention to his wife as he pushed her hair back out of her face and tucked it behind her ears. "You are so beautiful," he said just before he covered her mouth with his, kissing her as he laid her back onto the blankets. His tongue ran along her lips and he could feel hers dancing with his. Time stood still as they got lost within the passion. Their bodies entangled with one another like the vines growing up the trees outside.

Their bodies were so close, almost as one, and they could feel each other's hearts racing. Each beat stirring emotions within, heat rising from toes to heads, and an urgency building inside them both as the need for one another grew so intense that they couldn't hold back any longer.

Jack rolled on top of her, pushing his hips down against hers; letting her know that he was ready and needed her now.

…..

The next morning, Jack woke just before the sun came up. He rolled to see Elizabeth still in a deep sleep and quietly made his way out of the tent, trying not to wake her. He added more wood to the fire and got it burning again then walked down to the river's edge. It wasn't a large river, maybe twenty feet across, and slow moving. Jack found an old log near the edge and sat down. It was the perfect seat for the early morning sunrise. A clearing in the trees on the opposite side of the water left a perfect view to the east, where the sun was about to make its appearance. Jack sat and watched as the sun slowly began to show. The sky began to light up in hues of gold. Slowly, reds and purples and blues were added to the scene. As the sun rose higher, beams of light began to emanate from the orb in all directions.

"Lord, you are showing off today." Jack said quietly to himself, smiling.

His mind began to drift; thinking about his children and his wife. His heart was full. He was married to the love of his life who had blessed him with two beautiful, perfect children.

"Thank you, God, for all you have given me." Jack prayed out loud as the sun finished its colorful lightshow and the sky turned to its usual shades of blue. He closed his eyes and continued. "Thank you for leading me to Elizabeth and putting the sense in my brain to marry her." He laughed at his statement. "Thank you for my two beautiful children. Lord, I praise you this morning for my life and all that has come with it; good and bad. I thank you for the time I have been blessed with; time with my wife, time with my kids and time with my friends. I pray for the child that we lost and ask that if it is your will, that you will bless us with more. If it isn't, I will praise you just the same."

Jack quickly turned to look behind him, startled by the sound of a twig snapping against the ground. Elizabeth was walking toward him, her shawl wrapped around her shoulders, keeping the chill of the morning air away.

"Good morning, beautiful." Jack said as he slid over to make room for her to sit next to him.

"I didn't mean to interrupt you." She sat down and kissed him on the cheek.

"It's okay. I was praying."

Elizabeth nodded and turned slightly to face him. "I heard what you said at the end."

Jack wrapped his arm around her and rubbed his hands up and down her arms, warming her. "It's true. I will praise him no matter what."

She smiled, "so will I."

Jack reached into his pocket and pulled the little box out. "I have something for you." He handed the box to Elizabeth. "Happy anniversary."

She opened the lid and inside was a beautiful gold, heart-shaped locket. "Jack, it's beautiful." She picked up the locket and turned it over. An inscription was on the back; From Chalk Dust to Eternity. She opened it and inside were two photos; one of Jack and one of the twins. "Oh, Jack. I love it." She leaned forward and hugged him.

"Here, let me put it on you." Jack took it from her hand, undid the clasp and slipped it around her neck.

Elizabeth turned back to face him, "Thank you, Jack."

"You're welcome." He leaned to her and kissed her lips. "Want to pray together?"

She nodded, took his hands in hers and bowed her head. They remained that way, praying, for over thirty minutes. When they finished, they sat in silence, enjoying the soothing sound of the water flowing and the spring birds chirping in the trees for a few moments before getting up and returning to the camp.

They spent the day hiking, picking flowers, bird watching, fishing and enjoying the privacy within the forest. They watched the sunset after dinner and sat by the fire, holding each other and talking before turning in for the night.

The next morning, Elizabeth joined Jack to watch the sunrise and spent more time in prayer. The rest of the day was much like the previous one; exploring the forest and enjoying time together. After dinner that evening, they packed everything up and headed back home.

When they arrived at Lee and Rosemary's the twins ran up to them, arms outstretched and huge smiles across their faces. Jack and Elizabeth each picked one up; giving and receiving lots of hugs and kisses.

They spent some time with Lee and Rosemary, telling them about their weekend and listening to the stories about their children. Once the twins began to get fussy from becoming tired, they said their goodbyes and headed home.

Elizabeth put the kids to bed while Jack put Rose up and unloaded the buggy. When Elizabeth was done, Jack had just carried in the last of the items from outside.

"I'm exhausted. Let's finish this tomorrow." Elizabeth suggested as Jack set the heavy box of kitchen items down.

"Sounds good to me." Jack took her hand and led her to the bedroom.