Savannah, Georgia

Harper picked up her phone as it buzzed. It was Dylan.

"Hey, Harp," he texted.

"Hey, Dyl."

"R u having fun?"

"Yeah, I guess. It's kinda boring here. I wish I was with u guys."

"What do u think of Derek?"

"He's fine. He's old!"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, my mom is thirty three. He is at least fifty. And his parents are older than my grandparents!"

"Lol. Sorry, Harp."

"That's where we are! At his parents' house and they can't hear each other so every other word is "WHAT?""

"LOL" Dylan chuckled.

"What's so funny, bud?" Jack asked him from the front seat.

"Harp."

"So much for emergencies only with the cell phone," Jack mumbled to Elizabeth.

"It's kind of my fault, Jack. I thought she might need a friend today."

Jack looked in the rear view at Dylan. He was fast becoming like a son to Jack and obviously his mother's good nature and kindness were passed down to him. "Thanks, Dylan. You are a good friend to her. I really appreciate it."

Dylan met his eyes and shrugged. "She's a good friend to me too."

"Dyl? U there?" Harper texted.

"Sorry. Talking to your dad."

"Where are u guys going?"

"To Chengs in Chinatown. It has AWESOME Chinese food."

"So jealous. We are having ham. Not even turkey! It's old people food!"

Dylan chuckled again. "Just be glad your dad isn't mine. I don't want to see him, Harp. I really really don't."

"Sorry, Dyl. Maybe he won't be as mean today."

"I'm not holding out hope. He always has been."

"Well, I'll say a prayer."

"Thanks. We're at the restaurant. Enjoy your old people food, Harp. TtuL?"

"Yep!"

Harper continued to flip through pictures on Instagram, feeling homesick and missing her Dad and Dylan and Elizabeth.

"Harper, time for dinner," Ashley told her. "Was that your boyfriend?" she teased.

"Ew no. That was just Dylan. He's Dad's girlfriend's son. If anything he will be my brother someday."

"That right?"

"Yeah."

"You good with that?"

"At first I wasn't. Now I know that it will be good for all of us. Dylan's dad is a jerk. He and his mom deserve someone nice like Dad."

…..

Cheng's, Chinatown, DC

"I'm thankful for second chances," Elizabeth began. "Even just three months ago, I would never have thought how wonderful our lives could be again." Jack kissed the back of her hand. "Thank you for everything you have done for us, Jack."

"Dylan, you want to go next?" Jack asked him.

"I guess I want to say that I am thankful for second chances too. Jack, you showed me how a man is supposed to be toward the people he loves. And, Mom, you are so strong and you saved my life when you got us out of there. I will never forget that."

"Honey," Elizabeth said, opening her arms as Dylan hugged her tightly. "I love you so much."

"I love you too, Mom." Then he walked over and hugged Jack. "Thank you," he told him simply.

"Don't forget that I am always here for you and your mom. Always."

"I won't forget."

Dylan took his seat and wiped his eyes on his napkin just as the food was being delivered to the table. "I don't want to go to see Dad, Mom. Please, can we just not go?"

"Honey, as much as I would like to say that we can just go home, we promised that we were coming. Our yes needs to mean, yes."

"He breaks promises all the time."

Jack squeezed her hand and silently asked permission to speak with Dylan. She nodded.

"Dylan, you told me not two minutes ago that I showed you how a man is supposed to be toward the people he loves." Dylan nodded. "As a man, it is important to keep our commitments. Including things we don't want to do."

Dylan stared at his food, poking it with his fork. "You're right. Not going would make me just like Dad. I don't want that."

Jack put his hand on his arm. "You are not like your dad. You are the opposite of him in every way. It's just important to keep your commitments. It makes you a good person."

"I understand," he told him with a nod. "I still want to be like you, Jack. So I will go and eat dessert with him."

"I'm proud of you, Dylan," Jack told him.

"Me too," Elizabeth said with a smile.

…..

"So how are you liking school this year, Dylan?" Ray's father Paul asked.

"It's fine," he shrugged. "Harper and I did a project about Greece. We had to research and then do a presentation for the parents."

"Greece? Wow, that would be a nice place to visit," Kathleen, Ray's Mom commented.

"I think so too," Elizabeth agreed. "I've always wanted to go there."

"Maybe Jack will take you there, Mom, and maybe Harper and I can come too?"

"Who's Jack?" Kathleen wondered.

"Mom's boyfriend."

The room was silent for a moment as everyone ate their pie. "What hobbies do you have, Dylan?" Kathleen asked, breaking the silence.

"I like music. I play the drums for school. Grandpa William brought me a set. And Jack is teaching me to play the guitar."

"Dylan should start playing football again," Ray suggested to everyone's surprise.

Elizabeth was surprised because she didn't even know Ray was aware his son played football. He had never gone to any of his games or anything.

"No, thanks," Dylan said. "New life, new hobbies."

"Football teaches you discipline and agility. Something you absolutely need."

"Music teaches both of those," Dylan defended.

"That blouse is an interesting color," Ray told Elizabeth, switching subjects.

She knew that was his way of saying he didn't like it without actually saying it. "Jack likes it," she told him. "He said it brings out my eyes." She knew she was antagonizing him a bit, but it popped out.

"He's awesome and nice to us and he's a good man," Dylan said proudly.

Ray snorted. "A good man, huh?"

"Ray," Paul said in warning.

"Yes, a good man," Dylan told him. Elizabeth put her hand on Dylan's arm to stop him. She could feel the tension in him. "He's great. He takes care of us and his daughter and his parents. He would never hurt us!"

Dylan got up and ran from the room. Ray looked at Elizabeth. "No respect! Neither of you ever had respect for me."

"You need to earn respect, Ray. What you did to me… it ruined me for a long time. Now, I am finally starting to believe in myself again. Dylan may not have been right yelling at you, but he was being honest. He was finally telling you what he felt. I won't make him apologize for being honest."

She got up and thanked his parents for dessert and then went to find Dylan. She found him on the porch without his coat. "Dylan, you must be freezing. Where is your coat?"

"I don't know. That's why I'm not wearing it."

"Let's go back inside."

"No. Please don't make me."

"We need to go back in so I can apologize for bringing up Jack in the way that I did. I knew it would make him angry but I did it anyway. And I think you know what you need to apologize for too."

"Yelling. But…"

"No, buts. You are a good kid, Dylan, but you know better than to yell at your elders, including your father."

"Yeah."

"So…."

"I need to apologize to him."

"Yep."

"And maybe Grandpa and Grandma Wyatt for walking out?"

"Yep."

Elizabeth kissed the top of his head and gave him a hug. "I love you, Dylan."

"Love you too, Mom."

…

Later that night back at the hotel, Jack sat with Dylan on the floor trying out a game he'd bought while they were at the Wyatt's home.

"Are you glad you went back in?" Jack asked the young man.

"I know it was the right thing. I don't think Dad likes me right now. He didn't speak to me when I went back. Just kept glaring at me."

"I'm sure your father does care, he's just really struggling with himself right now."

"Maybe, but I doubt it. Mom said I don't need to see him for a while. Even Grandma said she and Grandpa could come out to see me on their own sometime."

"That will be nice. You can show them around."

"Yeah, I guess."

Standing in the kitchenette, Elizabeth mouthed the words "thank you" to Jack.

They played two rounds of the new game together before Elizabeth retired to the bedroom. She spent the next hour reclining on the bed reading a book while Jack and Dylan watched a hockey game on the tv in the other room. It was a replay game, since it was Thanksgiving, but Jack hadn't seen it yet.

When the goalie for Jack's team let another puck through, he groaned.

"Dude, can you believe that?" Looking over at the next couch, Jack smiled. Dylan was fast asleep. Jack got up and covered him with a blanket.

"Sleep well, Dylan." Leaning down, he kissed his head. He was so proud of Dylan. Today had been anything but easy, but he took it all in stride.

Seeing the light still on in the bedroom, Jack went over and lightly knocked on the door.

"Come in," she called out. Jack entered and she smiled. "How's the game?"

"They're losing. Dylan's asleep."

"So," Jack took a seat next to Elizabeth on the bed. "How are you after tonight?"

Letting her head fall on his shoulder, she sighed. "It was not a night to repeat."

"You said it started out well, what happened?"

"Dylan mentioned you, I did as well. Ray was not happy."

"Ah. Sorry."

"Don't be. I'm glad you're in our lives. I'm even more glad that Dylan had you tonight. You're so much more of a father to him than Ray has been for so long."

Jack let out a sigh of his own at her words, making her nervous.

"Oh, Jack, I didn't mean to... I just meant, you're so good with him. I'm not trying to move us faster than…" She stopped as Jack placed his finger over her lips.

"You're cute when you're flustered." She giggled softly. "Listen, Blue Eyes, I love you and I love Dylan. The relationship I'm building with him is very important to me. It's one I plan to hold close to my heart the rest of my life. Just like I do with Harper. Your words just there meant a lot to me."

"I didn't scare you?" she laughed.

"Not at all. I'd be lying if I said I didn't want us to all be a family someday sooner rather than later. Honestly, that's a lot of what I've been thinking lately. You, me and the kids."

"I'd like that." She snuggled closer. "I was thinking maybe when we get back home we could talk to the kids about our Florida trip."

"Good idea. You think Dylan will take it well, us invading his trip?"

"I think he'll enjoy having a friend with him and not just his mother." Jack laughed at her comment. "I guess we'll have to wait and see exactly how he'll react. What about Harper?"

"She's always wanted to go, so yeah, I hope she'll be alright anyway."

Elizabeth sat up and reached for her phone. "Let's plan it then."

The next morning, Elizabeth woke up with a twinge of pain in her neck. She stretched her arms and legs to get in a better position. That's when she noticed she wasn't alone.

She shoved her co-sleeper in the side and whispered loudly, "Jack! You have to get out of bed!"

"What?" he groaned.

"We fell asleep. Get out before Dylan wakes up!"

"Okay." With more groans, Jack rolled off the bed. "Okay, jeans are not good sleeping attire."

"GO!" she hissed.

"I'm going!" Jack laughed. Roughly running his fingers through his messy hair. Stopping at the doorway he turned back to Elizabeth. "Um, honey?"

"What?"

"If we're in here, who's in the shower?"

Now Elizabeth heard it. The sound of running water in the bathroom. The bathroom that could only be accessed by coming into the room she was in.

"Oh no…" She rolled over sticking her face into the pillow.

Jack couldn't help but laugh. "I'll go get us breakfast at that bakery down the street."

"Chicken!" she yelled playfully, tossing a pillow in his direction.

"You bet. Have fun explaining this to your son."

"Jack Thornton!"

Elizabeth climbed out of bed and got dressed before heading out into the little kitchenette to start coffee. She was standing in front of the coffee maker when Dylan walked out, his hair spiked up from the dampness.

"Morning, honey." She put on a smile.

"Morning." He walked over to his suitcase and put his pjs inside. "Our flight's at 12:30, right?"

"Yes, we'll leave here after breakfast."

"Alright." He grabbed his book from his backpack and went to sit at the kitchenette bar.

Dylan's silence unnerved her. She poured herself a cup of coffee. The whole time wondering if she should say something about that morning, or just let it go. Maybe Dylan wasn't saying anything because he was embarrassed. She certainly didn't want to make things any more awkward than they were.

"Mom, did you hear me?"

"What? Sorry, love." She had been so lost in thought she hadn't heard him. "What did you say?"

"I asked if you had a nice rest last night." The mischievous grin on his face said it all. "You sure looked cozy when I went to take my shower this morning."

"Popsicles…" she muttered under her breath. Dylan laughed at her attempt not to swear. "It was a complete accident, Dylan. Really. We were looking up some things on my phone and just kind of…"

"Had yourselves a little sleepover."

"Oh, Dylan, I'm sorry."

"It's okay, Mom," he laughed. "It was a little weird, but it's fine. It was clearly innocent."

"Thank you."

"You just be more careful next time, you hear me?" With a mischievous grin he shook his finger at her.

"Yes, son. I will be more careful."

He got off the stool and went to give her a hug. "I'm glad you're happy, Mom."

"Thank you."

"Oh, and by the way, that picture I took on my cell of you two snoring away might make a great engagement announcement photo one day."

"Dylan Christopher… you didn't!"

Jack walked in the room just then. "Breakfast is here."

"Awesome!" Dylan grabbed a raspberry pastry from the box and headed to the living room to read his book.

Jack offered Elizabeth a pastry. She took it, looking straight ahead at her son instead of Jack. "Blue Eyes, you okay?"

"Never should've gotten him a phone…"

….

The trio landed at Logan International just after 2 PM. Immediately after getting off the plane, Jack checked the arrivals board for Harper's flight. He had missed his baby girl and couldn't wait to see her again. According to the board, her flight was due to arrive in 45 minutes.

"Well, anyone hungry?" Jack asked. No one was particularly hungry before their flight.

"I could eat," Dylan answered. "There's a Chili's over there. Do we have time?"

"Yeah. I'll keep an eye on her flight with my phone."

They sat down and enjoyed a nice lunch. Elizabeth had a salad while Jack and Dylan ordered burgers and bragged over who could eat the most. Must be a guy thing, Elizabeth thought.

Just as they were finishing up, Dylan's phone vibrated. "She landed."

"How do you know?"

"I set my phone to give me updates."

"Huh," Jack smiled. "Alright then."

Dylan and Elizabeth hung back at the gate to give Jack and Harper some space. Jack stood near the door, trying to see down the tunnel for his "Honey Bee."

"Dad!"

"Hey, Honey Bee!" Jack held open his arms as she ran toward him for a hug. "I missed you."

"I missed you too, Dad. How was your Thanksgiving?"

"Not bad. We had a pretty good time."

"Dylan said things with his Dad didn't go awesome. They okay?"

"Yeah, sweetie. It's all okay."

"Good."

During the drive back to the Cape, everyone caught up on the details of the holiday. Harper and Dylan sat in the back looking at pictures Harper had taken while in Georgia.

"I took some pictures too."

"Dylan…" Elizabeth warned from the front seat.

"Okay, fine. I'll show you a video instead."

Harper leaned in as the video started. At first, she sat back, a little shocked. Then a loud laugh came out. "Aw, look at this, you two snore in unison."

Quickly Elizabeth reached back and took the phone. Looking at the screen she rolled her eyes. "So you filmed us, Dylan Christopher?"

"That's us?" Jack looked back at the kids in the rearview mirror. "Wait a minute, I thought you told your mom you took a picture?"

"I did. I also did this. Did I not mention that?"

"Sly boy, very sly."

When they were thirty miles from home, Jack suggested they grab pizza from Pete's for dinner. Everyone was tired, but agreed to the idea.

"Jack and Beth!" Pete Stanton waved from behind the front counter. "And the kids. How was your Thanksgiving?"

"Not bad." Jack reached out to shake his old friend's hand. "Can we get a table?"

"Sure thing! Take your pick, Clara will be right out. I know she'll wanna see you guys."

Clara was out a few moments later.

"Look at you mama!" Elizabeth stood to give her old friend a hug. "You look beautiful!"

"Thanks! I can't believe I'm already showing. Though I am three months along with twins so maybe that's normal."

"I can't say. I didn't have twins, regardless, you're beautiful!"

"Thanks, Beth!"

They ordered sodas, a large margherita pizza and a caesar salad.

After her second slice, Harper leaned back in her seat and began playing with the straw in her orange soda.

"Georgia was alright, but next vacation can I stick with you guys? I feel like a missed out."

Jack looked to Elizabeth. With a big smile she nodded.

"Actually, Harper. Jack and I have been talking and I was thinking it would be nice if you guys came with Dylan and I to Florida over Christmas break."

"Seriously?" Dylan asked eyes wide.

"Yeah. I hope you don't mind."

"Nah, this is cool." He looked across the table to Harper. "You're so doing Tower of Terror with me."

"Isn't that the thing where you're in an elevator and it drops?"

"Oh yeah!"

"Um no. Not happening."

"Oh, come on! It will be fun. What do you want to do?"

She thought for a moment. "That hang glider ride at Epcot!"

"Deal."

The kids kept on making plans for the trip. Jack subtly lifted his class to Elizabeth. "That went well."

"It did! I think we should celebrate." She kissed his cheek and left the table. She walked up to the front counter where the desserts Clara made were on display in a glass case. "Hey, Pete, can we get four of those yummy double chunk brownies?"

"Sure. I'll bring them to ya."

"Great. Thanks!"

"I'll get them." Clara said with a smile. "Pete, hon, you're needed in the kitchen."

"Duty calls." He kissed Clara and headed back.

Elizabeth waited at the counter while Clara plated the desserts.

"Can I just say, you guys are adorable. I love it. Like a family."

Elizabeth blushed, then looked back at her table. They were all laughing at something Dylan had said. "Yeah. It's really starting to feel like that." Her face suddenly fell l.

"Beth? Why do you look nervous?"

"I'm so happy. I just don't want to lose him again."

"You won't."

"You don't know that."

"Yes, I do. Beth, you both deserve this. He's been waiting for this too. You two together, it's written in the stars, my friend. Always has been."

Elizabeth have a small laugh. "Wonder why we couldn't have figured it out before."

"I wondered all the time why Pete and I struggled to get pregnant. Now finally we are and it's wonderful. Maybe… you guys were supposed to wait so you'd have Harper and Dylan with you," she smiled.

"True, our lives are certainly better with them."

Clara handed her the plate with the brownies and left. As Elizabeth walked back to the table she prayed silently, "Dear Lord, I need to ask, please knit us together as a family."

As soon as she placed the plate on the table, both kids reached in and grabbed one. Elizabeth smiled warmly at them.

Taking her hand Jack asked, "Are you okay?"

"Yeah," she answered softly. "I'm really good."