Disclaimer: I do not own the characters within this story. All rights and much respect go to Crown Media, Hallmark, Brian Bird, Michael Landon, Jr., the actors, creators, and writers of the show "When Calls the Heart."

Chapter 27- Secrets and Surprises

***STEAM ALERT***

Elizabeth had noticed a difference in Jack since they'd talked. He seemed calm, more accepting of what was to come, but he had also been a bit secretive. She'd asked numerous times what he was up to, but he just smiled, gave her a kiss and said, "Trust me, you'll love it."

The fact was, Elizabeth did trust him, and she was absolutely certain that she'd love it too…whatever "It" turned out to be.

Elizabeth was looking forward to getting this move over with. She and Jack hadn't had much time together; both were exhausted by the end of the day and simply crawled up into bed. Each morning she woke with his body pressed up against hers and his arms wrapped tightly around her.

It was Wednesday and although busy with work and the move, Elizabeth left school and headed over to Bayside Hospital to see Stephanie. They weren't the best of friends; Elizabeth wasn't even certain that they were friends at all, but felt the need to visit and show her support.

Elizabeth knocked on the door and heard several voices call for her to 'Come in.'" Although she wasn't certain what she expected to see, when she walked around the curtain in the private room, she saw a broken woman. She was in traction with her right leg; her left arm was in a cast, and there was an IV and tubes coming from various places.

"Elizabeth," she managed to mumble. "Thank you for coming."

Not knowing what to say, she simply asked, "Is there anything I can do to help?"

Stephanie looked at her father who began to speak for her.

"Stephanie's jaw is wired so it's difficult for her to speak. She would, well actually I would appreciate it is you would take care of her horse for her. She'll be in the hospital for awhile, and then therapy, so we aren't certain when she can ride again."

"Well sir, I don't board at Princess Anne Farms…"

"I know, but we would gladly move her to your barn," he quickly interjected.

"Well actually, my husband and I are closing on our new farm in about an hour, so I'm not at Breckinridge anymore," she advised.

Stephanie continued mumbling, although her words were unclear to Elizabeth, she seemed quite insistent.

"You said farm, would it be possible to board her with you? We will gladly pay for board and your training services. How does $1,000 a month sound?" He asked as he pulled out his checkbook.

"Um, well that sounds like a lot of money, and probably more than you need to pay," she replied.

"Okay, it's settled. Here is your first month's board and training fee," he remarked as he handed her the check.

"Sir, I didn't mean that…I mean I need to check with my husband, and that's too much money," she began to stammer.

He closed his checkbook and slipped it back into his jacket pocket, "Nonsense, it's well worth the money and we'll have her horse brought over this weekend." He turned to a young man sitting by the window, "Jordan, make sure you get Elizabeth's address before she leaves."

Elizabeth walked out of the room with the check in her hand feeling quite like Alice in Wonderland with the door to the hospital room being the rabbit hole. Jordan followed her out into the hallway where she confronted him about what had just happened.

"He's very persuasive ma'am. But he's fair, and he'll do anything for his daughter," Jordan stated.

"Well, I guess that's something that Stephanie and I have in common," she replied.

That evening, Elizabeth and Jack were having dinner when she placed the $1,000 check on the table.

"What's this for? Who's it from?" He asked.

Elizabeth explained what happened at the hospital and that she didn't mean to say she'd do it, but apparently she had.

Jack wasn't pleased, but he knew Elizabeth's heart and the fact that she would have had a hard time saying no. Even considering that she and Stephanie were not friends would not keep her from helping out.

"I love you, and although I don't really want boarders coming and going and interrupting us, I know you accepted this because of your kind heart and sweet spirit," Jack assured her. "Everything will work out."

"I'll only do it until she can take care of the horse herself, okay?" She remarked.

He reached his hand up behind her neck and pulled her closer until their lips were only a whisper apart. "Okay," he stated before she felt his lips pressed upon hers.

It seemed before she could blink an eye, it was now Friday and the beginning of spring break. Although tired and having to push herself to put one foot in front of the other, she got up early, made Jack breakfast and watched as the most handsome man she had ever seen walked out the door in his perfectly fitted uniform.

Elizabeth released a heavy breath as she moved a box from the sofa and sat down. Since they had married, they hadn't gone more than two days without making love, and it was now approaching a week. Tomorrow, even with all of the craziness of their move, couldn't get here fast enough. She looked forward to getting their lives back to normal.

Elizabeth reached in her bag that sat on the end table and pulled out her journal. So many things were going through her head, and she hoped to put the jumbled mess of thoughts into perspective. She opened her journal, flipped through the ever increasing number of entries and stopped once she reached the first blank page…

"As a young girl I dreamed regularly of having the house with the big yard and wrap around white picket fence. Back then I felt certain that that alone would bring me joy, peace and true contentment. Although we can be happy with possessions, they alone do not put a smile on our face, the twinkle in our eye, or the happiness in our heart.

What is important in my life now is the man who sits across from me at breakfast eating a bowl of cereal, listening intently to my mundane ramblings. He is the same man who calls me in the middle of the day to say how much he loves and misses me, and drives an hour out of his way for specialty chocolates that he knows are a favorite of mine. He alone has the power to put a smile on my face, the twinkle in my eye and true happiness in my heart.

We look to the future; a wealth of memories to be made, a bucket of dreams to share and a plethora of prayers to be answered. We hope for good things to come, but also understand that some sadness will venture in. Life is unpredictable, and challenging. However, with the sadness comes the understanding that we are not alone, making the journey worthwhile. We stand side by side, gathering strength one from the other to weather the violent storms that try desperately to knock us down and tear us apart.

Whether our front porch provides a view of the white picket fence or the swamp down the street, what will make our house a home are those who venture inside and fill it with love."

Elizabeth put her journal back in her bag, grabbed a box from the sofa, slipped her keys in her pocket and slung her purse over her shoulder as she headed out the door and toward the parking lot.

She arrived at the barn and found it buzzing with activity. Many of the teenagers rode on weekends, but with school out, they chose to spend their day at the barn catching rides, and helping out with chores.

Elizabeth was thankful that she had at least one day off before the move. She loved teaching, but with everything she was juggling on her plate, working certainly was cutting into her free time.

Elizabeth walked into the tack room and began gathering her grooming supplies, bridle and saddle. With her arms full she headed for the door stopping in her tracks as her eyes met his.

"Hi Miss Elizabeth; I've missed you," he said in his soft child voice.

Elizabeth inhaled quickly. She felt the air enter her body but she was just as certain that her lungs had collapsed as she was unable to catch her breath. "Hi Michael," she barely managed to get the words out as the young boy wrapped his arms around her legs and held on as if his life depended on it.

Elizabeth unloaded her arms and placed her grooming bucket on the ground, then squatted down to be at eye level with him. "Are you here with your aunt?" She asked, she hoped.

"No, mommy brought me up to see the horsies," he responded. "But Aunt Emily is here riding too."

Hoping to get away before Jamie made an appearance, she wished Michael a good day, grabbed her belongings and hurried out the door.

"Mommy," Michael called out. "That's Miss Elizabeth. Miss Elizabeth, stop…"

Elizabeth heard him call out to her and his mommy. If there had ever been a time that she could disappear, she wished that now was it. She heard the emotion in his voice and knew that none of what had previously happened was his fault. He was a small child caught up in his mother's web of lies.

Elizabeth turned around, "I'm sorry Michael…"

"His name isn't Michael. It's Jack," Jamie remarked.

Elizabeth looked at Michael and smiled, "I know his name is Jack, but he likes me to call him Michael." She took the opportunity to set her saddle and bridle on the railing, and slipped inside Bugsy's stall.

"Jack, go find your aunt Emily," Jamie stated as she sent her little boy running down the aisle way and stepped inside Bugsy's stall, closing the bottom door behind her.

Jamie turned to Elizabeth, "I'm sorry for what happened. Jack and I were so close at one time, and well, Jack Jr. could have been his, if you know what I mean."

The lump that settled in her throat made it difficult for Elizabeth to get the words out. She turned away for a moment, giving her attention to Bugsy. Feeling disgusted with the situation Jamie fed to her and Jack, she turned around and the words poured out.

"Jamie, Jack was very honest with me about you. I am aware of how children are conceived, and yes, your son could have been Jack's, but he isn't. You are a very lucky woman, Jamie. You have a beautiful, sweet little boy but he doesn't deserve you. He is absolutely precious, loving, and kind, and I can only assume that he must take after his father, but that is not Jack Thornton."

Elizabeth managed to take a deep breath before continuing, "I know your intent was to tear Jack and me apart. You don't know me, and I don't expect you to understand this, but I don't want to be with a man who doesn't want to be with me. I deserve better than that. If Jack wanted you, he would be with you, and with my blessings."

Jamie jumped in, "I'm sorry that I caused problems between you and Jack."

"Look Jamie, I have some things that I need to get done, but I will tell you this, Jack and I are no longer dating," she stated, feeling the need to yank Jamie's chain.

"I'm sorry that I broke you two up," Jamie stated as her face frowned, but her heart soared.

"Oh, I didn't say we broke up. I just said that we aren't dating anymore," Elizabeth stated as she held her hand out to show both her engagement and wedding rings.

"You're…when did you…he married you…?" The surprise was written all over Jamie's face.

Before Elizabeth could answer, a strong voice was heard coming from outside the stall.

"He most certainly did, and it was the best day of his life," Jack stated as he opened Bugsy's stall door, stepped inside and approached Elizabeth.

Jamie watched as Jack slipped his arm around Elizabeth's waist and pulled her toward him.

"Are you okay?" He whispered.

"I am now," she softly responded.

"Mommy, I found Aunt Emily and she said that she's ready to go," Jack Jr. called out from the aisle way.

"I guess you should be going. Don't let us keep you," Jack remarked as they watched Jamie walk out of the stall, leaving it open when she left.

Jack looked at Elizabeth, expecting a much different reaction than he received. "I'm so so…"

Her lips pressed to his, silencing his apology. "Jack, we're passed that. She has nothing over us."

"Sunday I have something special planned for you, for us," he stated with a sly grin.

"What is it?" Elizabeth enthusiastically asked.

"Impatient are we?" he softly laughed and pulled her tightly to his chest. His lips were by her ear as he whispered, "You'll have to wait to find out."

They stepped out into the aisle way and glanced to the parking lot where the car carrying Jamie, Jack Jr. and Emily was pulling out onto the highway.

Jack watched Elizabeth as her eyes followed the car off the property. He took her hand, "Are you okay?" He asked as they walked toward his patrol car.

"Jack, you were honest with me about Jamie long before this situation. I trust you; I always have, and I always will. I'm fine," she remarked. "Besides, I got the prize."

"Knowing that she meant him, he asked, "What's the prize?"

"Onyx, of course. What did you think it was?" She stated, stifling a laugh as she observed his disappointed expression. She leaned in and pushed his shoulder slightly, "I'm just joking, you goofball. You will always be the best prize ever."

They stopped at his patrol car and he glanced around. Seeing no one, he leaned in a pressed his lips to hers. "I know things have been a bit off and we haven't spent any private time together," he mentioned. Sensing her frustration he leaned in and whispered, "This move has us both frazzled, but all of that is going to change."

"I know, but I just miss you so much. We're in the same bed, but you aren't there when I go to sleep, and then you're sound asleep when I've had to get up for work," she replied.

"I'm sorry that I've been gone a lot, but I'll be home tonight, and we'll spend the evening together," he promised.

He felt her relax and saw the smile that he had missed seeing as a result of their hectic schedules and pending move. His smile matched hers, "I want you to know that if I wasn't on duty right now, I'd take you…"

She put her finger to his lips and closed her eyes, "Shh, just leave me with the idea. Mmm, what a visual," she stated.

"Would you like to go out to dinner tonight, or would you rather I bring something home?" He asked as she started walking back to the barn.

"Bring something home. I'd like some quiet time with you," she responded. "I love you Jack. Please be careful today."

"I will. I love you too," he called back to her as he snapped his seatbelt and watched her walk away. "Mmm, how did I get so lucky?" He thought.

It was as if she knew he was watching her and she turned around and smiled brightly, the last vision he remembered of her for the day.

Elizabeth gathered her saddle, bridle and grooming supplies and placed them in her Jeep for the drive over to the new house. She sat the saddle on the fence as she opened the gate, walking through the back yard to the barn. She put her things away in the new tack box Jack had spent the past few nights working to finish for her and then headed for the house.

She walked into the house, spending most of the afternoon cleaning, hanging curtains and mini-blinds, and emptying several boxes that had already been brought over from their apartment. Finding Bugsy's shampoo in a box, she sat it by the door to be taken later to its proper place in the barn.

Several hours later, Elizabeth was walking down the hall of the new house looking for the towels she had brought when something out the window caught her eye. She grabbed a towel before stopping at the window.

"Jack," she called out when he answered his phone.

"Hi, is something wrong?" He asked.

"Did you order anything from Lowe's?" She asked.

"Are you still there? I thought you'd be home before now?" He replied.

"I haven't left yet. Did you order something?" She asked again.

"Uh, no…maybe. What did you see?" He hesitantly asked.

"Not much. I was naked and looking…"

"Whoa…whoa, whoa…stop right there…you were naked? Why?" He asked not certain at this time if he should be angry or laugh.

"You didn't answer my question. Did you order something from Lowe's?" She asked for a third time.

"Uh Elizabeth, I think my question is more important. Why were you naked?" He again answered her question with one of his own.

"Do you promise not to laugh?" She asked.

"Of course I won't laugh," he replied, although he had already started. "Again I ask…why were you naked?"

"Well, I was unloading some things in the house and I found Bugsy's shampoo. Well, you know everything has a place, so on my way through the backyard to the barn, I dropped the bottle on the concrete by the pool," she began to explain.

Although she had made him promise not to laugh, even she was beginning to see the humor in her incident. She continued, "I thought that I had cleaned it all up, but…you know; that shampoo is really slippery. Before I knew it, in the pool I went."

"Are you okay? Did you get hurt?" He asked, clearly concerned for her ordeal.

"No, I'm fine. Nothing else happened," she responded.

"You were naked. Don't forget that part," he reminded her.

"Jack, I wasn't naked outside. I waited until I got back inside the house. You sure are stuck on that part, aren't you?" She commented.

"I'm sorry, it's been a while," he stated with a soft laugh. "Seriously, are you okay?" He asked again.

She quickly responded, "Yes, I'm fine. I came inside and took a shower, but I forgot the towels weren't in the bathroom and so I had to find them. I didn't think I had any clothes over here, but I found that lavender negligee that you like so much…"

"Stop, you're killing me here," he stated with frustration.

"HA! I'm just kidding you. That's what you get for laughing at me," she replied back to him quickly.

Disappointedly he responded, "Oh, so you weren't naked?"

"No, that's true, but I have clothes on now. So, what did you order from Lowe's and why did the delivery guys need a wheelbarrow?" She asked.

"Do you have any plans tonight?" He asked.

"Why do you keep changing the subject?" She inquired, realizing that this may have something to do with the surprise he had previously alluded to.

"Because you being naked is much more interesting," he stated.

"Jack, forget about me being naked…"

"I can't. It's almost like it was before we got married, I couldn't touch, but I could dream. Now, I'm like a kid in a candy store wanting all of you, and our schedules are keeping us apart," he remarked. "But now that we've been together, I need you. More importantly, I want you," he stated; his proclamation brought tears to her eyes.

"I'm sorry to tease you, Jack. I know that every night this week you've been working hard here at the new house and I'm sorry that I've been asleep when you've gotten home. I guess I haven't been a good wife," she commented.

She couldn't see him, but a bright smile covered his face, "You're the best, and tonight we forget about everything else. I'm taking you to dinner, and the rest of the evening…well, you're mine."

"I'm leaving now, so I'll see you when you get home. I love you Jack," she stated.

"I love you too," he responded.

Elizabeth grabbed her purse and headed for the door, "Crap, Jack Thornton," she smiled as she shook her head. "I still don't know what you ordered from Lowe's."

Elizabeth made her way down the hallway of their apartment complex. Although she had lived there only a short time, Jack was well known to many of the residents. Everyone she passed in the hallway acknowledged their fondness for Jack and their disappointment that he was moving.

"We sure are going to miss Jack," the two blondes from Apartment 2-J mentioned as they walked away from Elizabeth while she opened her door.

"I guess no one cares if I move as long as Jack stays. Besides, I'm the one wearing his rings, so Frick and Frack need to back off," she mumbled as she dropped her keys on the table and walked to the bedroom to change.

She and Jack had been so busy the past week and she was looking forward to spending a nice quiet evening with him. She was touching up her make-up, removing any signs of the exhaustion she felt, when she heard him enter the apartment.

"I'm almost ready Jack. Be out in a minute," she yelled out to him.

"No rush," he called back.

Hearing voices in the den, she walked out and found Jack surrounded by a majority of his neighbors.

"Honey, look…everyone planned a cook-out for us and a going away party," Jack smiled, but his eyes caught hers and they said, "I'm sorry."

"That's so sweet," she replied as everyone began to file out of the apartment and head down to the courtyard.

"I'm sorry," he stated as he took her hand and pulled her off to the side. "You have no idea how much I want to be alone with you right now."

"Tomorrow's another day," she remarked.

He was quick to respond, "No, we'll have some time together tonight," he assured her.

Hearing the music being played through the outdoor speakers, Jack held out his hand, "Dance with me Mrs. Thornton."

"Nothing would please me more," she responded as she rested her hand in his.

He held her close, whispering in her ear, "I think I know of a few things that would please you more."

"None of which can be done right here," she reminded him.

Jack looked at his watch, "In a little while. I promise."

They continued dancing, keeping an eye as the attendees began sporadically leaving.

"Come on, let's go," Jack stated as he held out his hand and took hold of hers.

Jack gently pulled her toward the front of the courtyard where he proceeded to thank everyone for the party and for making him feel so at home for the past year. They made their way toward their apartment, barely getting the door closed before they heard a knock.

Jack nodded his head toward the bedroom as he whispered, "Go back to the bedroom and get ready. I'll be there in a minute."

Elizabeth rushed down the hallway, entered the bedroom and closed the door behind her. She changed into the lavender negligee that she had previously reminded his of during their earlier telephone conversation. She sprayed perfume into the air before walking through the mist, then slipped under the covers and within minutes was sound asleep.

"It's finally just you and…" Jack excitedly announced as he closed the bedroom door behind him, quickly realizing the he was the only person in the room who was awake. Frustrated, he changed into his shorts, slipped under the covers, slid his arm under Elizabeth's shoulders, and pulled her close.

Without waking, she released a soft breath and a gentle moan followed, as she snuggled up against him. He leaned over and gently kissed her forehead, as he inhaled and the coconut scented shampoo that she used earlier in the day entered his brain.

Jack lay there wanting his wife in every sense of the word. He quickly realized that being that close to her, but unable to make love to her was excruciating.

Elizabeth took a deep breath before rolling away from him, resting on her left side. Although Jack knew that having her body pressed up against his was not going to lend well to him falling asleep, having her body away from him was worse. He wanted her body touching his, needing to feel the closeness even if it went no farther.

Jack slid his body over, pressing himself against her as he wrapped his arm around her waist.

As if it were by instinct, Elizabeth took hold of his hand and pulled it across her chest, hugging it tightly. Both took a deep breath; Elizabeth remained asleep and Jack soon followed.

Moving day arrived with no pomp and circumstance; just three guys in a truck, as Jack supervised the apartment move and Elizabeth handling Bugsy's transfer.

Elizabeth rushed out to Starbuck's and just as quickly returned with coffee for everyone. Jack walked her to the door as they watched box after box being loaded on the dolly.

They stood in the hallway, alone, no prying eyes as he hugged her. He whispered, "You're mine tomorrow."

"I'm sorry that I fell asleep last night," she apologized.

He brushed his lips across hers bringing a smile to her face. He whispered, "It's not your fault. It's okay. Besides the weather is expected to be beautiful and warm this weekend. Trust me; we'll make up for it."

He watched her walk down the hall before being called back inside by one of the movers. Elizabeth reached the door to the courtyard before turning back toward the apartment, and she asked herself, "What does the weather have to do with us spending time together?"

Elizabeth pulled into the barn, aggravated at the person who parked their brand new truck and trailer in the driveway and didn't leave room for anyone to get passed. Besides, she thought it would have been nice if the barn manager had waited until she left to welcome the horse that would now take Bugsy's stall.

Elizabeth walked into the garage and found Howard, one of the barn maintenance men. "Howard, I'm not sure who the new rig belongs to, but I need to get it moved so I can get the barn truck and trailer out."

"You don't know?" Howard asked.

Elizabeth shook her head, "Know what?"

"You own the truck and trailer," he advised her.

"What are you talking about?" She asked.

"All I know is that it was delivered here earlier this morning. There is a note on the front seat," he advised as she hurried out of the garage and opened the door to her brand new midnight blue Ford F-350 4-door pickup truck.

She reached inside and pulled out the envelope, recognizing her father's handwriting on the front…

"My dearest Elizabeth,

I know that you have always wanted a truck and trailer of your own. You have been fortunate to board at facilities where use of their trailer was not an issue. That will no longer be the case, and I fear that you have not thought about that. Remember back when you were twelve, and we made that bet?"

Elizabeth looked away from the card to think. A smile came over her face, "I remember." She looked back to the card…

"We were at the Norfolk Rotary Show, and you were nervous. Your pony was refusing fences in the warm up and you looked so scared. I told you that if you rode her, like we all knew you could, that when you were old enough, I would buy you a truck and trailer of your own. I was so proud of you that day. You rode her like the equestrian you had trained to be and you ended up 2nd in a class of 35. Quite the accomplishment, I'd say.

You never asked me for the truck and trailer, and I assumed that you simply forgot, but I am now settling on my debt. I hope you love it. You have made me so proud through the years, and I love you so. Oh, your mother wants to know when we can expect our first grandchild!"

Love always, Daddy

Elizabeth closed the door on the truck and rushed to the matching trailer. She dropped the ramp down and stepped inside. Everything was new, fresh…perfect.

Elizabeth pulled her phone from her pocket and immediately called Jack. She realized that he must have been busy as his phone immediately went to voicemail. She didn't want to tell him about her father's gift in a voicemail so she simply hung up.

"Daddy," Elizabeth called out after her father answered his phone. "Daddy, I love it, but it is totally not necessary," she stated.

"Just settling my debt, dear," Mr. Thatcher stated.

"That's not necessary, Daddy. Although, I have to say, I love it," Elizabeth stated. "Are you sure?"

"I wouldn't have gotten it for you if I wasn't sure. Oh, and I did run it passed Jack. So he knows about it," he remarked.

"He was okay with it?" She asked.

"I love you honey. I've got to go," he stated, leaving her to wonder about Jack's reaction to the gift.

She loaded up Bugsy and then went back to strip her stall and to make certain that she hadn't forgotten anything. With nothing left behind, Elizabeth left her Jeep in the parking lot, climbed into her monster truck and headed for their new home.

Elizabeth arrived at the farm, and pulled into the driveway. She got out, opened the gates, pulled her rig through and over to the barn. She unloaded Bugsy and turned him loose in the ring to stretch his legs while she unloaded her hay and feed.

She walked into the barn and found that Jack had hung her feed tub, hay rack, and the hook for Bugsy's water bucket. Elizabeth straightened up things around the barn before unwrapping Bugsy's legs and turning him out into the field. She pulled the truck around to the back of the barn and unhooked the trailer. By the time she pulled back through the gate, Jack was pulling into the driveway ahead of the moving truck.

Jack approached the truck, "I see he went through with it."

"What are your thoughts?" She asked. "Just keep in mind that I don't want to fight with you."

"Elizabeth, we hadn't thought about having a horse and no trailer. It was a very thoughtful gift," he stated as he took a few minutes to peruse the new ride.

Shocked, she temporarily stood motionless, expecting a totally different reaction from the one she received.

He turned to her and smiled. Noticing the hesitancy in her eyes he quickly replied, "Elizabeth, when I married you, I married your family as well. I don't want them giving us everything, but as a parent, I understand him wanting to do things for you. I only hope that we're in the position to do some things for our kids when the time comes."

"I love you, Jack Thornton," she stated as she wrapped her arms around his neck and soundly captured his lips.

"As much as I would love to continue this…and trust me, I really would, the movers are waiting on me," he stated as his hand rested along her neck. He leaned in and softly met her lips with his.

As they separated, his hand ran across her shoulder and down her arm, eventually reaching her hand. He pulled her hand up to his lips, "Don't forget, tomorrow you're all mine."

Elizabeth smiled as she watched him walk toward the front of the house, "Hey, what's wrong with tonight?"

"Nothing, that is if you're awake," he smirked.

"Hey, it's not like I fall asleep…oh wait, I did. Good point Honey," she replied before climbing back in the truck and pulling it back into the driveway.

Elizabeth walked inside and helped to direct the movers as to the placement of the various boxes and furniture as it was carried inside. She began to empty boxes, wondering how they had accumulated so much stuff is such a short time together. Then she realized as she opened a box full of his high school and college sports trophies that they had two life times of stuff combining into one.

The day seemed as though it would never end. Box after box made its way into the house.

"Elizabeth, where do you want this one?" He grumbled.

"Jack, it says 'Kitchen' right on the front, so where do you think it goes?" She snapped back, obviously tired.

"Well, excuse me. I didn't see that," he remarked as he dropped the box of kitchen towels on the floor and walked away.

As he left the room she released a frustrated breath, "Yep, maybe by tomorrow I'll like you again."

Finally the last box, and final piece of furniture, a lamp, was unloaded from the truck. Jack wrote out a check for the final payment to the movers before helping them back their truck out of the driveway.

Elizabeth was exhausted as she emptied one final box in the bathroom and headed for the barn to take care of Bugsy.

"What are you doing?" She asked.

"Taking a break. Is that okay?" He asked sarcastically for permission.

"Jack, don't use that condescending tone with me. You're no more tired than I am, but yet, I'm still working. I'll be outside finishing up in the barn if you need me to get you anything," she huffed as she headed out the back door.

She stopped by the truck on her way out to the barn and grabbed her bag. She then dragged herself to the field, sat under the huge maple tree and released a cleansing breath. Bugsy left his deep patch of grass and made his way over to her, sniffing her leg as he made his way up to her head. He nuzzled her forehead before retreating back to his grass.

Elizabeth reached into her back and pulled out her journal. She closed her eyes and turned her face into the sun. She felt the cool breeze on her face, and smelled the floral scents carried in her direction by the wind.

She opened her journal, flipped through the mounting number of entries and rested upon the first blank page. It was there that she attempted to put her feeling down on paper…

"I do not consider myself lucky, but I do believe that I am blessed. I am fortunate to have family and friends who fill my life with an overwhelming feeling of love. However, I am also human, and I feel anger. Justified or not, it is often misplaced, cast upon the one person who generally doesn't deserve it, but willingly takes it, and loves me just the same.

Anger can be a vicious thing, with your mouth often expressing emotions that you don't truly feel. They are hurtful and damaging, and much like toothpaste, the words can't be returned to the confines of the tube once they are released. Much like a volcano, an inability to release our anger appropriately causes feelings to sink below the surface. Daily pressures and our refusal to express what we feel build up until they explode, often over something that has absolutely nothing to do with our emotions at the time. We apologize, assuming that everything has been returned to a previous standing of mutual respect and love, but the remnants of the ugliness remain.

Saying 'I'm sorry' is only acceptable if you no longer repeat the action. It most certainly isn't a free ticket to say what you choose, expecting the simple words to miraculously make everything right again, at least until next time. Express what you feel, but do so with love, compassion and kindness. You never know when those words, said in anger, will be the last ones spoken."

Elizabeth closed her journal and slipped it back into her bag.

"Elizabeth," Jack called out softly as he took a seat beside her under the tree. "I'm sorry."

Elizabeth smiled and shook her head back and forth, "No Jack, I should be apologizing to you. I'm sorry. I'm tired, and all of this has just been overwhelming, but I shouldn't have taken it out on you. You didn't deserve that."

He took her hand and pulled it up to his lips, "I love you. Thank you for taking this journey with me."

Elizabeth laughed, "Well, you know I did have a lot of offers. I had to narrow it down and those dimples of yours just beat out everyone else." She snuggled into his chest as his arm wrapped around her shoulders.

"Funny," he remarked. "It's hard to believe that we have this place all to ourselves until we start having kids."

"Do you want kids now?" She asked.

"No, not unless you do," he replied.

"Well I kind of thought that we'd have some time to ourselves before bringing children in," she mentioned. "But we can practice," she stated with a sly smile that he quickly reciprocated.

"Let's go take care of Bugsy and then I'll take you out to dinner," he offered.

"I am always willing to accept help. On our way home would you take me by the barn so I can pick up my Jeep?" She asked.

"Of course," he stated as he stood up and held out his hand to her. He pulled her up and they walked over to the barn.

Once the barn chores were done and Bugsy was inside for the night, Jack and Elizabeth walked hand in hand toward the house.

"How does a sub sound?" He asked.

"It sounds awesome, especially since I don't have to cook," She responded.

"You stay here, and I'll go pick it up," he offered. "We'll pick up your Jeep in the morning."

Elizabeth watched as his truck pulled out of the driveway and headed down the road. She stepped inside and took a seat, turning the TV from a baseball game to the Hallmark Channel.

She found herself dozing, but woke when she heard the front door open.

"Honey, we're home," Jack called out from the entryway.

"I'm sorry, I think I fell asleep," she stated as Jack sat the subs up on the counter.

"Wait, you said we. Do we have company?" She asked.

Jack laughed, "Just a second." He ran into the entryway and quickly returned with Onyx in his arms.

Maybe it was the exhaustion, or maybe it was just that she was so happy, but Elizabeth took Onyx in her arms and broke down crying.

"I'm sorry. Are you okay? Should I have left her at Rosie's tonight?" He asked, confused by her emotions.

Through her tears she stated, "No Jack. We're home. Our family is home. Picking up Onyx was the sweetest thing you could have done for me. Thank you so much," she stated as she continued to hold Onyx but wrapped her free arm around his neck and held him tight.

Following dinner, Elizabeth sat in the den floor playing with Onyx while Jack watched. She took Onyx outside, leaving Jack to watch baseball. Once back inside, Elizabeth and Onyx headed for bed.

Elizabeth had every intention of crating Onyx for the night, but once their heads hit her pillow, each one was sound asleep.

Jack walked down the hall and into the master bedroom where he found Elizabeth stretched out on the bed with Onyx tucked against the small of her back. He slipped into his shorts and slid under the covers. Although he loved Onyx, he wasn't certain that he liked the fact that she was sleeping between them. Since they had married, they had always fallen to sleep wrapped in each other's arms. Now he realized just how big their bed actually was, and how much he was missing the feel of her body up against his.

The following morning, Elizabeth woke to kisses all over her face. "Jack," she laughed, "You sure are frisky this morning."

She finally got her eyes open and found Jack sound asleep on his side of the bed, and the kisses she was receiving were actually from Onyx. Need to go out, girl?"

Onyx continued to dance about. Elizabeth slipped out of bed, still wearing her clothes from the day before. She slipped on her shoes and walked down the hall to the back door.

Elizabeth and Onyx stepped outside and headed for the barn. Onyx played outside while Elizabeth fed and turned out Bugsy. With the barn chores completed, Elizabeth and Onyx made their way back into the house where they both smelled the wonderful scent of bacon frying.

Elizabeth took a quick shower and returned to the kitchen to find a plate of bacon, eggs, fruit, toast and a cup of coffee sitting in front of her chair. Jack was sitting across from her reading the sports section of the newspaper.

"Thank you for breakfast. It's yummy," Elizabeth stated as she took a sip of coffee.

"You're welcome. You've been working hard and deserve a little pampering," he stated.

"Well, so do you," she replied.

"I get mine tonight. Don't forget, I told you that you belong to me tonight," he reminded her.

She pushed her almost empty plate away and stated, "We don't have to wait until tonight, do we?"

Seriously thinking about the offer, each one was quickly sidetracked by the doorbell.

Jack walked to the front door, but quickly called to her, "Elizabeth, Stephanie's horse is here."

Jack advised the driver to head to the back and Elizabeth would open the gate for them.

Jack walked back into the den, "You're mine tonight," he stated, almost demanded.

Elizabeth unloaded Sophie, unwrapped her legs and turned her out in the field next to Bugsy. Each one ran the fence line, prancing with their heads held high and their tails up and flowing.

Elizabeth pulled a chair out from the barn to sit in while she watched the two horses run and play.

Having been outside for hours, she heard Jack call out to her from the back yard, "When are you coming back inside?"

"I have a few things left to do out here. I'll be inside in a little while," she promised.

She walked into the barn to clean Bugsy's stall and prepare the feed and hay for dinner. When she stepped outside the barn, Jack was gone. "Hmm, he must have gone back inside," she thought.

She put Onyx in the safety of a stall while she brought the horses inside. Once they were settled for the night, she released Onyx, and they headed for the house.

"Jack, are we going out or staying in tonight?" She called out as she walked through the house looking for him. "Jack…Jack, hmm, where did he go?" She asked.

She walked back to the bedroom and found her flower print dress with spaghetti straps lying across her bed with a note…

"Please wear me and walk out toward the barn."

She slipped into a pair of flip flops that were sitting by the back door, placed Onyx in her crate and headed outside.

It was getting dark and she still saw no sign of Jack. She was beginning to get concerned when she observed him walk around from the back side of the barn.

"What are you doing?" She asked.

"It's my surprise for you," he replied as he took her hand and brought it to his lips. "May I say, Mrs. Thornton, you are absolutely breathtaking this evening."

They continued through the field and toward the clearing in the woods.

"Where are we going?" She asked.

"Shh, remember you said you'd follow me anywhere. Besides, it's not much farther," he stated as he gripped her hand tightly.

Jack helped her over the fence and back to the ground.

"Fence climbing is not really something you do in a dress," she remarked.

He smiled as he took hold of her hand, turned on his flashlight and they entered the path. A short distance into the woods he stopped.

"Are we here?" She asked as she started looking around.

"No, but you need to put this on," he stated as he held out a strip of material.

"What's this?"

"A blindfold…"

"A what? Are you serious?"

"Please; you know I won't let anything happen to you," he stated as if he really had to reassure her.

She closed her eyes and turned away from him, allowing him to tie the material around her head, covering her eyes.

"Can you see anything?" He asked.

"Nope, nothing," she stated.

He took her hand and they headed down the path with her constantly asking, "Are we there yet?"

She heard music off in the distance, and the smell of wood burning caught her attention.

"Okay, we're here," he stated as he removed the blindfold.

"Is this what you had delivered from Lowe's? She asked with a bright smile as she observed the scene before her.

"How did you do all of this?" She asked as she released his hand and walked around taking in the scope of everything.

"Virginia Power will be here next week to install the watts lights, so the lanterns will have to do until then," he remarked.

She obviously had never walked the entire property line as she had no idea that there was a small pond on the property. The fire pit was roaring; the stereo sound was soothing; the cushioned lawn furniture looked comfortable, and the candle lit picnic table with their covered dinner smelled scrumptious.

He led her over to the table where he sat across from her. He poured two glasses of wine, and proposed a toast…

"May joy and peace surround us,
May contentment latch our door,
And happiness be with us now,
And bless us evermore."

Following their truly delicious meal of grilled salmon, mashed potatoes, and mixed vegetables, Jack walked over and held out his hand, "May I have this dance?"

They walked hand in hand toward the water. Their palms touched and they each felt the warmth pass through them as the sparks flew. His arm swept around her waist pulling her close, as her hand cradled the back of his head. The Taylor Swift song "You Are in Love" was playing softly through the stereo speaker, as they began swaying to the music.

"Morning, his place
Burnt toast, Sunday
You keep his shirt
He keeps his word
And for once you let go
Of your fears and your ghosts
One step, not much, but it said enough
You kissed on sidewalks
You fight and you talk
One night he wakes, strange look on his face
Pauses, then says, you're my best friend
And you knew what it was, he is in love

You can hear it in the silence, silence, you
You can feel it on the way home, way home, you
You can see it with the lights out, lights out
You are in love, true love…"

"Jack, this…all of this is just beautiful…it's magical," she whispered in his ear. "I guess this is what you had delivered from Lowe's," she stated as they both laughed softly.

Her warm breath sent shivers down his spine, as his hand moved up her back where her bare skin met the top of her dress.

His finger traced along her back, slipping a finger under the spaghetti strap as it slipped over her shoulder. His lips met her skin as they brushed across her collarbone, settling in on the sweet spot on her neck just below her ear. The soft moans which escaped her lips fueled the fire that was quickly building inside him. Their foreheads touched as he whispered, "It's been so long. I've missed you so much."

She teased him by running her teeth gently across her bottom lip. She knew that that always sparked something in him, and this time was no different.

The heat from his gaze left her feeling as though her clothes were being burned from her body. The caress of his lips on hers was summer warm and whisper soft. His breath quickened as he desperately whispered, "I want you. Elizabeth, I need you," and his lips met hers again, this time in a fiery connection, both passionate and hungry.

They separated slightly, eyes connected, each one realizing that at this moment, all they needed was the other. Her tongue gently traced up his neck, stopping as she pressed her lips behind his ear. He felt her warm breath on his skin as she whispered, "I've missed you…this. Make love to me, Jack."

Before she realized it, he had swept her up in his arms, carrying her to the oversize lounge by the fire pit. The temperature was comfortable, but the fire added warmth that wasn't needed but actually appreciated as their clothes came off and rested in a pile next to them.

Her skin tingled as his fingers worked their way over her body. The more she felt his touch, the more she needed him, the more she wanted him.

His lips captured hers; they were soft and tasted of mint. The kiss was deep and demanding as she found it difficult to catch her breath.

Her teeth gently nibbled on his bottom lip, toying with him, stoking the inferno that was raging inside. Their hearts pounded; their breathing was rapid and deep, as their bodies quickly melted together.

She could feel his muscles tighten as she ran her hands across his back. Her fingertips dancing down his spine elicited soft moans which passed through his lips. He found it difficult to get close enough to her. Even though they were skin to skin, he still needed to be closer.

His lips met hers; she sighed into his mouth and he lost control. His hand rested along her jaw line as his thumb stroked her cheek. His body strained with passion as he hovered over her, wanting nothing more than to have her completely consume him. Her body rose to meet his as their rapid breath and soft utterances seemed to swallow them.

They collapsed side by side into the soft cushion that was well worth whatever amount of money Jack had paid for it. Their arms and legs remained entwined as their breathing, first wild and erratic, slowly returned to a normal pace.

Jack pulled her body tight to his enjoying the feel of her skin upon his, "I love you so much."

She rested her arms on his chest as she rose up slightly. Her eyes met his, "I have never loved anyone or anything the way I love you. Thank you for coming to my rescue that day at school; for holding my heart so gently, and loving me so completely."

"I have a gift for you," he stated as he pulled a box out from under the lounge chair.

"When did you have the time?" She asked as she took from him the box of special Danucci chocolates that could only be found at a floral shop located an hour away.

"Anything for you," he stated as the box was opened and he gently fed her a piece.

She smiled and looked around. Taking in the soft beauty of her surroundings, she whispered, "Jack…I'm not a fan of the secrets, but I love the surprises. We're here. We're finally home!"

To be continued…