After saying goodbye to his parents, Jack hurried upstairs to talk with Harper. She was sitting on her bed, holding her pillow.

"Okay, Harper, let's talk about it." He sat on her desk chair facing her. "Tell me what you are feeling."

"I don't know!" she yelled.

"Hey, change your tone, please," he told her, using a stern tone of his own.

She took a few deep breaths and looked up at him, tears streaming down her face. "Dad, she is my principal. What if you break up with her? Not only will it be awkward at school but I won't be able to go over to my best friend's house again, maybe not even talk to him again. That's not fair!"

He moved over next to her and dried her cheeks with a tissue. "Honey Bee, I have no intention of breaking up with her."

"So you're going to get married? That's even worse!"

"We are not getting married anytime soon. But just so I know, why would that be worse?"

"Because Dylan would be my brother! And I don't need a mom. I have one. Sort of."

"Of course you do and she wouldn't be taking your mom's place. She would be a second mom to you."

"Dad, I just…I was just getting used to school and being with you here and now everything is changing again. Mom is getting married again and now this." She cried again, this time leaning into his chest. "I don't want things to change again."

"I know, sweetheart. Change can be hard, but maybe this change will be easier to handle."

"I doubt it." He kissed her forehead and held her for a moment.

"Time for bed." He stood up and held her covers up for her and then tucked her in just like he had when she was a much younger child. "I love you so much, honey bee. Nothing will ever change that. I promise."

"I love you too, Dad."

Jack left Harper's room and went to his own, putting his phone on his bed and headed to the shower. A half hour later, he climbed into bed and looked at his phone. He had a few texts from Elizabeth.

"Jack, u awake?" and "Call me when u get this, please."

He pushed the call button and she picked up immediately.

"Uh, we may have a problem," she told him.

"Yeah, Harper told me. We just had a talk."

"How did that go?"

"Well, I don't know how to answer that. She cried a lot."

"Because of me?"

"No, mostly because everything is changing. Her mom is getting married and now this. It's overwhelming her."

"It would overwhelm anyone."

"I know but…" he groaned. "So many tears."

Elizabeth chuckled. "Well, she is almost twelve."

"Twelve year olds cry a lot, do they?"

"Yes, and they keep crying for a few years past that."

"Goodie."

"Just listen to her. Most of the time, hormones are driving the tears and just like any woman, she probably just needs someone to hear what she is saying."

"She's not a woman. She's my baby. I don't know if I like this hormone thing you are talking about."

Elizabeth laughed again. "Well, sweetie. You don't really have a choice."

He was quiet for a moment. "Sweetie, huh?"

"Yeah. I think it fits."

"Are we at that point? Nicknames or terms of endearment and all that?"

"You call me Blue Eyes and the way you say it absolutely makes it a term of endearment."

"Good point. What did Dylan think?"

"He was so supportive. He said he just wants me happy and you make me happy so that's a good thing."

"Wow. There is a big difference between girls and boys, isn't there?"

There was a silent moment before she spoke again. "So….this thing we are doing."

"Relationship?"

"Yes, relationship. It's going to be good, I think."

"It's going to be better than good, Elizabeth. It's going to be great. In fact, what are you doing Friday night?"

"Well, I was going to clean out my closet…."

"Funny. I think we should go to dinner."

"A first date?"

"Absolutely."

"I would love to, Jack."

"Great."

They chatted a while longer and then hung up, both happier than they had been in a long time.

…..

As excited as going out to eat with Jack as his date made Elizabeth, it didn't stop her from getting sick. She caught a bad cold a few days later and called in to work. Jack found out when he took her coffee, only to be told by Florence that she was sick.

So he drove to the grocery store, bought some ingredients and then made her his famous chicken stew, taking it to her with a bouquet of flowers.

He knocked on her door but he could see her on the couch and she was covered head to toe with a heavy blanket and a pile of used Kleenex next to her on the floor. He took a chance and tried the door, which was unlocked. He would remind her about locking that later.

He quietly entered the house and put the soup on the stove to keep warm. Then he found a vase on the top of the fridge and put her flowers in it. Finally, he brought her a bottle of water and headed back into the living room.

He didn't want to wake her, so he in the recliner next to the couch and pulled out his cell to pass the time.

An hour later, she woke up and looked at the recliner. "Jack?" she croaked out, immediately coughing with the effort.

"Hey, Blue Eyes. How are you feeling?"

"Death warmed over about covers it. What are you doing here?'

"I made you chicken and corn stew. I heard you were sick." He got up and knelt by the couch, kissing her forehead. "You have a fever, honey. Do you need to go to the doctor?"

She coughed more and then groaned. "No. I'm fine."

"If you say so."

"I do." She knew she must look terrible, so she covered her head with the blanket.

"Are you asleep?" Jack asked quietly a moment later.

"Yes."

"Do you want me to get you some stew? I've been told it works miracles."

"Sure. Just a small bowl. I don't have much of an appetite." Elizabeth slowly sat up, leaning her head against the back of the couch.

He found her bowls right away, grabbed a spoon, and brought the steaming bowl to her. "Here you go. Want me to feed you?" he teased.

"I don't think that's necessary, but thank you." She gave him a smile and took a bite. "Mmm." It was an involuntary reaction but it summed up how wonderful the warmth felt as she ate.

He put his arm around her and kissed her temple. "You are beautiful."

That made her snort which made her cough. "Stop. I am not. I am so far from beautiful right now…"

"If you say so."

"I do." She ate about half the bowl and handed it to him. "I'm finished. Thank you for bringing me stew."

"You are most welcome." He touched her cheek and kissed her nose. When she realized he was going to kiss her mouth, she stopped him with a gentle touch to his chest.

"No kisses. I don't want you to catch this."

"I'll take my chances."

"Sweetie, I have not brushed my teeth this morning and I feel gross. Just wait a few days."

He wasn't going to push. He wanted her trust him so he nodded and kissed her forehead and cheeks. "I'll text you later. But let me know if you change your mind about the doctor. I would be happy to take you."

"Thank you, Jack." He helped her lay back down and then he covered her with the blankets, turned the stove off, and left the house a few moments later.

….

Elizabeth went back to work a few days later, feeling a bit better but now Dylan had it. Grace came to stay with him while Elizabeth worked, thankfully.

She sat at her desk and opened her email. She started answering them, apologizing for not responding as quickly as she normally would when she heard a knock at her door.

"Come in."

Jack popped his head in wearing his uniform and smiled. "Hey, Blue Eyes. Feeling better?"

"Enough to be here," she said, smiling back. She watched him shut the door and approach with a cup of coffee in his hand. "Is that for me?"

"Of course." He handed it to her, sitting on the edge of her desk next to her chair. He tucked a stray hair behind her ear. "Any chance I could kiss you now?"

"I'm still sick, Jack."

"But you brushed your teeth."

"Yes."

"Then I will take my chances."

She blushed a little at his insistence. "Okay then. Don't say I didn't warn you."

"I take full responsibility for whatever happens." He leaned down and gently kissed her lips. "Yeah. I'm pretty sure I want to do that every day for the rest of my life."

"What exactly are you saying, Jack?" She sat back in her chair and sipped her coffee, a bit of a challenge in her eyes.

"Nothing yet. Just making a statement."

"I think we should try to go out on Friday. On our date. What do you think?"

"I absolutely agree."

"Providing you didn't catch my cold. I am positive you will not feel like going out with me if you get this."

"I'll be fine. I'll drink extra orange juice." He started to walk away and then turned back and kissed her again, this time, a bit longer, a bit more passionate. "Mmm. Talk later?"

"Yeah."

…..

Jack smiled at himself as he drove back to work. He had come precariously close to telling her that he loved her. Very, very, very close. And he did love her. The woman had his heart and had for years. Now, if he could just get her to the point where she completely trusted him, that he would care for her and Dylan, and that he would never do what Ray had done. She was precious to him and he was going to make sure she always knew that.

His phone buzzed on the seat of his truck so he hit the Bluetooth button on his dash. "Hello?"

"Mr. Thornton?"

"Dylan? How are you feeling, bud?"

"Terrible."

"Do you need me to get you something?"

"No. I just wanted to know if you would like to help me plan a birthday dinner for my mom."

Jack thought about it. He had forgotten when her birthday was. "When's her birthday?"

"November 5th."

"Whoa. Next week. Yeah, of course I will help you."

"Great. Thanks!"

"You're welcome. Now go get some rest and let me know what you want me to do."

"Ok. Thanks again."

….

A few days later, it was Friday night. Elizabeth sat in the passenger seat of Jack's truck, looking amazing. He sneaked a peek of her every couple minutes, hardly believing this was happening. Finally after so many years, they were getting their chance.

"So where are we going?" Elizabeth asked, putting her hand on top of his where it rested on the console.

"Claws and Gills."

"Huh?"

"Claws and Gills. It's a seafood place on the coast, outside of town."

"Jack, have you been there before?"

"Nope. But the guys in the station have. They said it's amazing. We need to try the lobster bisque."

"If I get food poisoning from a place called Claws and Gills, I will never live it down. Florence will probably insist on planning our dates from now on."

"We won't. They have been open for years. I googled it and they get a lot of good reviews."

"Okay." Elizabeth tried not to laugh. A place named that would not have been on her list of first date romantic spots, but she was game. She wanted to be with Jack and she was a good sport.

"You look beautiful tonight."

"You look pretty great yourself." Seriously, she had never seen him look better. Somehow though, no matter what he wore, she was always amazed at how he made her heart beat a bit faster. She had never really felt that way about Ray. Only Jack. Back when they were kids and now.

"Thanks." He lifted her hand and kissed the back of it. "I'm happy we are doing this."

"Me too. I'm happy you didn't get sick."

"You don't understand how hard it was not to kiss you for a few days. Seriously, Blue Eyes. I thought I wasn't going to make it."

"Stop. You are crazy," she said with a laugh.

"Okay, I'm joking, but once we kissed for the first time, things changed for me."

"Changed for both of us."

He nodded. "I realized that I need you in my life."

"Don't say something you will regret saying so soon, Jack." She looked serious so he dialed it back.

"That is all I am saying." He pulled into the parking lot of the restaurant and walked around to open her door for her. He offered his hand and she accepted it, sliding out of the truck.

He may not have said the words, but the look in his eyes spoke volumes to her. She knew what he was feeling. She just wasn't quite in the same place yet. She had loved him for years yes, but after the Ray craziness, she wasn't sure she was ready to be in such a serious relationship so quickly. She just needed to think it all through.

When they walked back out of the restaurant two hours later, they were both satisfied. The lobster bisque was great. As was the shrimp scampi, the clam chowder and the cheddar garlic biscuits.

"I am pretty sure that I just gained five pounds in the last two hours," she said as they walked to the truck.

"So worth it though," he said, patting his stomach. "Don't you think?"

"Oh yeah." He stepped close to her, so close she had to tip her head back a bit to look in his eyes. "I love your eyes," she whispered.

"I love….your eyes too," he stuttered. Good heavens. He almost blurted it again. She wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him, inhaling his aftershave or cologne or whatever it was that was weaving its spell around her heart.

"Somehow, I don't think that was what you were going to say."

"Very true but all in good time, honey. All in good time." He leaned down and gave her a kiss. At this moment, he forced himself to just be grateful for her and Dylan and his life the way it was. The time would come and he wouldn't have to hold back and she would know all of what he felt.