Thanks for the positive reviews. Hope you enjoy this update :)


The next morning the sun was starting to peek in between the curtains, Jack stirred and looked down at Lisa sleeping yet. She hadn't moved all night, she looked so peaceful, but he saw the tiredness of the last weeks starting to show through. He didn't want to wake her so he laid there thinking about how his life changed for the better 10 years ago when she came into his life and he fell hard for this beautiful much younger, strong willed but so independent woman. They've been through so much and are still together and for that he's so grateful. He wasn't sure what time it was but he figured Lisa would be starting to wake up soon, she wasn't one to rise as early as he did. He kissed the top of her head. Lisa started to stir, she moved her head from his chest and looked up at him half sleep "morning sleepyhead." She smiled "morning" he leaned down and kissed her. "Hmm what time is it?" Jack sat up a little more still holding her in his arms "not sure, I've been enjoying holding you while you slept so peacefully, I didn't have the heart to wake you." Lisa flashed him the smile he loved "that's sweet, I have a meeting today, I'm pretty sure I am now late for though." Jack chuckled, "actually you're not missing anything, your scheduled has been cleared for the next couple of days." Lisa sat more upright pulling the covers with her "Jack Bartlett, what did you do?" The tone in her voice told Jack she wasn't very thrilled with his revelation about her schedule. "Lisa, calm down. I had some help from your assistant, everything has been rescheduled, nothings cancelled for good. You need a break, you've been working round the clock at home and Fairfield. I just wanted to do something for you." He grabbed her hand looking almost desperate "I don't want you to be upset." He just waited for her reaction for a minute before letting out a sigh. He moved to get up and fix some coffee leaving Lisa be.

After a few minutes, Lisa got out of bed wrapping her robe around her. She crossed the cabin and wrapped her arms around Jack from behind. "You're right, I did...or do need a break." Jack turned around to look at Lisa "so you're not upset with me?" Lisa smiled and pulled his head closer to kiss him "No" Jack pulled her closer to him with her head resting on his chest "good, I wouldn't want to bring my wife up here for us to be alone and have her upset. How about some coffee?" She stepped away and grabbed two cups from the cabinet. He poured their coffee and they curled up on the small sofa together. After a few minutes of enjoying their coffee in silence, Lisa her head to look up at Jack "so what else do you have planned for us?" Jack looked down at her with a smirk. "Well actually I didn't have any definitive plans besides us spending some much needed alone time. I did pack our fishing gear." He leaned down so his lips met hers. As they broke, Lisa smiled at her husband "You know I'm not good at fishing." He laughed "ah yes but remember it's a team sport for us, I think we make a pretty spectacular team." Lisa chuckled remembering the first time she tried fly fishing. "We do make a spectacular team." She shifted and faced him. She placed their cups on the table. She placed her hand behind his head drawing his face closer to his to kiss him. After a few hours of kissing/cuddling Lisa suggested they take a walk down by the river.

They exited the cabin and walked down by the river. Jack wrapped his hand around hers as they walked. "It's so peaceful here." Lisa looked over at him "it is, I still remember the first time you brought me up here. I know how special the cabin is to you." Jack stopped walking and wrapped his arm around her "it's even more special when we are here together. We need to remember to make time for each other." Lisa smiled and looked into his eyes, seeing the love reflecting back at her "I agree, I love you Jack Bartlett." Jack returned the smile "I love you Lisa."

Meanwhile back at Heartland Tim, Lou, and Amy were having lunch. Tim put his fork down "So what's up with this sudden disappearance of Jack and Lisa?" Amy looked at her dad "dad really? Grandpa and Lisa need some time together, it's been a little busy around here lately." Lou piped up with "they do, it was sudden, especially when Grandpa called to tell me then asked me to help with a surprise birthday dinner for Lisa." Amy looked at her sister, "He asked me to help too, I think it's the least we can do. She's done it for us." Tim gave in "Agreed, they're coming back tomorrow afternoon right?" Amy got up to put her plate in the sink "Yes, I think they're coming back here from the cabin."

Back at the cabin Jack and Lisa have returned from their walk and had a seat next to each other on the small porch. Lisa absently reached for his hand "thank you." Jack squeezed her hand "for?" Lisa looked at him "For this, seeing I needed a break. I know Aunt Evelyn's visit and open objection to our marriage wasn't easy on you or the whole family really." Jack pulled her in closer "We do need our time, we both knew that there were things we wouldn't give up when we got married. Our lives fit together because loving each other is enough and the moments we spend like this make it stronger. I know Aunt Evelyn thinks you could've done better for yourself in terms of a husband and family. I am glad you chose this old rugged cowboy though." Lisa smiled at his last comment "I'll always choose you, however I don't see you as an old rugged cowboy. I love you for you and I wouldn't want to change you for anything." She leaned in for a kiss. Jack broke their kiss "I love you too, I wouldn't want to change you either."

They sat wrapped in each other's arms for a little while longer before Jack decided to get his fishing gear out to catch their supper. "Do you want to join me?" Lisa stood up as he finished putting his waders on. "I think I'll pass, I will just enjoy watching you." She kissed him before he walked down to the river.

A while later Lisa is sitting on the porch as Jack approaches with their supper. He can't help but stop for a minute to look at his wife, the sun hitting just right to make her look even more beautiful. He sees that she's lost in her thoughts, she doesn't hear him coming. "Good news is I caught supper. It'll be ready in a little while." He removed his waders and started to prepare their meal just like he did on their first trip to the cabin. Lisa watched him work before briefly disappearing into the cabin to return with two glasses of wine. She handed one to him before returning to her seat. Small talk was made about family, business, life in general before retiring for the evening. Jack built a fire and settled into ref couch drawing Lisa into his arms. "You ok? When I came back from fishing, you were doing some deep thinking." Lisa glanced up at him before speaking "I...I…uh was just thinking about us, your family; the initial reaction to finding out we eloped. Then aunt Evelyn this week." Jack knew she was carrying a lot of worry after this past week and it was up to him to diffuse these worries and doubts she was feeling. "Lis, it's our family. You are a part of us and please don't let Aunt Evelyn's comments get in your head. I didn't marry you for your money, I know you're younger than me. We've been over all of this. When I met you all those years ago, I was smitten by you, still am. I couldn't wait to get to know you more then and today I can't wait to spend time with you now and in the future. I am lost without you." Lisa knew that his words were true, Jack wasn't one to express himself in so many words, especially when anyone else was around. He usually only opened up when there were together and in private. "You always know the right thing to say. Love you." Jack turned her around to draw her in even closer. "Love you too." He kissed her as she started to open the buttons of his shirt making her intentions of how she wanted their evening to end.