Just like the previous week's game, Elizabeth and her mother stood and cheered the entire game. Jack would occasionally turn his head to steal a glance at his wife. All he could do was shake his head at his wife's antics. She would wave and shake her pompoms, yell at the refs, and she even had her shoe off two times that he'd seen.

Adam was just as shocked as Jack, not just at Elizabeth's actions, but his wife's actions too. "I've never seen her like that." He mentioned to Jack as Charlette was jumping up and down screaming that the refs were blind as a bat.

"She was loud when Tom and I played sports, but nothing like this. I think they are all feeding off Elizabeth."

On cue, Elizabeth stood and cheered when one of her boys made a great tackle. "I can't believe that is my wife." The soft spoken fifth grade teacher was anything but her normal self at the moment.

"That can't be good for her blood pressure." Adam stated a little concerned.

"I know, but I'm not going up there. Would you like to go and tell her that she needs to sit down and quit screaming?"

"Not on your life, Jack. I'm not going anywhere close to that tribe."

The group grew bigger, now there were around twenty moms in the group. Every mom was screaming and cheering the whole game. Many of the husbands made their way to stand along the fence with Jack and Adam. The other fans distance themselves as much as possible. Everyone just shook their head at the group. The mom tribe didn't notice or just didn't care that people were staring.

There were a couple of times that Elizabeth made eye contact with Jack and gave him a bright smile. She also gave him a thumbs up indicating that she was feeling well.

The football team won by twenty one points. On his way to meet Elizabeth and help her down the bleachers, he noticed a mischievous look on her face. "What's up?" He asked as he extended his arm to help her up after she put her shoe back on.

"What do you mean, officer?"

"Chief." He corrected her. "I half expected to look up here and see your belly showing with paint all over it." He sassed as he looked at the paint on her face.

"Well…I do have something painted on it, but only you can see it. Maybe later…" She flirted while fluttering her eyes.

"Come on, beautiful. Let's go say hi to our boys."

With that, she accepted his arm and the whole mom tribe made their way to the side of the field where the football players were gathering. Like before, all twelve of their football boys fist pumped Jack after giving Elizabeth and Grace a hug and kiss on their cheeks. The boys were excited with the pair of ladies painting their faces and they loved the shirts. All twelve took pictures as a group and individuals with both Elizabeth and Grace.

"Alright young men." Grace stated in a grandmother's voice. "Please go shower and invite whoever you want and come to Jack and Elizabeth's house. We have ice cream and pizza for everyone."

All the guys cheered. They quickly became attached to Jack, Elizabeth, and Grace. They were feeding off the love given by the trio.

"Chief," One of the linemen began. "Maybe we can camp out at the pond one night after a game?"

"We can arrange that. Late night fishing and camping would be great."

"Oh, can we do that too?" A girlfriend of one of the players asked.

"I can't camp out for a while." Sighed Elizbeth. She has never camped out but that did sound like a lot of fun.

"I can go." Charlette stated. Jack can have the boys on one side, and I can have the girls on the other."

The girls cheered. They became excited at the news.

"We may need to get some more chaperones." Jack spoke out loud but to no one in particular.

"We'll help." One of the moms who was in the mom tribe spoke up. "I think we can get enough volunteers to make this happen." She stated enthusiastically.

Before Jack or Elizabeth could say anything, the whole group of teenagers cheered. Jack and Elizabeth's eyes connected, and they had matching smiles on their faces. They had the answer to their question.

This time, they had twenty six teenagers at their house. There was a mixture of new guys from the team and new cheerleaders who attended. A couple of the football guys brought their girlfriends too. Everyone flowed from the back porch to the living room and kitchen of the house to the front porch. There wasn't a group of people who stayed together. Everyone spent time with everyone else. Rip loved all the attention he was getting from everybody.

Jack woke the next morning alone. He sighed. Over the months since they were married, he was accustomed to Elizabeth laying on his chest. Her head would be nestled on his chest and shoulder. Her hair would be in his face, and her arm and leg were usually laying on top of him. He loved that and missed it greatly. Now, she was laying on her side of the bed, with no covers on her with her arms and legs spread out trying to stay cool. She was always cold and that's why Jack thought she cuddled up to him so much, but now she was her own heater. She would always say that she was incubating two humans and that made heat.

Elizabeth fell asleep last night on the couch just after everyone left after the ice cream and pizza. Jack didn't look, but he guessed it was around one in the morning. He reached over and lightly took her hand. He didn't want to wake her, but he did want to touch her. When he looked in her direction, he noticed her shirt had moved up on her tummy and he noticed some paint. With everyone over last night, they didn't have any alone time. Therefore, he didn't see what she painted on her belly. He slowly reached over and raised her shirt enough to see what she painted. Jack laughed when he read the words on her stomach. "Occupied by Thorntons."

Jack slowly got out of bed without waking his wife and dressed for the day in the bathroom. When he stepped into the kitchen, he put on some coffee and took a seat by the kitchen island to look over his emails. When he poured his first cup of coffee, he heard his mom walk down the stairs.

"Good morning, mom." He stated when he stood up to pour her a cup of coffee.

Grace looked up and smiled. She didn't say anything until Jack gave her the cup of coffee and she took a couple of sips.

"I never knew football games were so exhausting."

"Well," He started until she cut him off with a smirking look.

"You missed some paint by your left ear." He stated with a smirking smile handing her a paper towel. "Most people don't get into it like you and your daughter."

"That's enough from you, son." She laughed. She knew they went way overboard with their cheering, but their football guys loved it, and she wouldn't deny them of that satisfaction. "Those young men need all the encouragement they can get."

"That's very true, but you two don't have to do it all on a Friday night." He grinned.

"Hey, we weren't the only two." She defended herself.

"True, but my wife and my mom are the two founding members of the mom tribe."

She huffed as she raised her mug to her lips. "Do they really call us that?"

His smile gave her the answer. Grace shook her head. She actually enjoyed the group of ladies and considered it a label of praise. She loved those boys.

They sat in silence for a few minutes drinking their coffee. He refilled her mug and then began to make French toast. As he pulled the ingredients from the pantry and the fridge, Grace could see the hesitation in his facial features. Elizabeth is absolutely correct…he simply can't hide anything from his expressions.

With her leaving in a few hours to head back to Hamilton, she knew what he was going to talk about. They haven't mentioned Wiliam's name once during her visit. She promised Jack and Elizabeth that they were in complete control of this whole situation, and she wasn't going to break her promise to them. She sat silently nursing her cup of coffee.

"Mom…" He hesitated. "May we talk honestly for a moment?" He asked without ever making eye contact with her.

"Jack, we have always been honest with each other. I would expect and I do not want anything else from you." She stated in a caring mother's tone.

"It's concerning Mr. Thatcher."

Charlette laid in bed and moaned as she tried to roll on her back. She playfully smacked Adam's back when she heard him begin to laugh.

"Adam, if I ever do something like that again, please stop me."

"I tried last night but you told me to go and stand by the fence. By the time the mom tribe kicked into high gear, there was no way I was going up to where you were. Plus, as stubborn as you are, you wouldn't listen to me anyways." He barely got the last sentence out before laughing.

Charlette didn't respond immediately. She just glared at her husband.

"Am I wrong?" He sassed as he sat up in bed.

"No."

"Would you like breakfast?"

"Please."

"Are you going with Elizabeth to take Grace to the airport?"

"I am. Is that ok?"

"Sure, Jack wants to come by and pick up the toy chests and take them home."

"Why has it taken so long for him to come and get them?"

"He has been a little busy over the last few weeks."

She nodded. With Elizabeth's health, his new job, and the issue with William, Jack has been busy. Adam didn't care if the toy chests stayed in his workshop. He had plenty of room and they were protected so nothing could happen to them.

"Good. So, what can I help you make for breakfast?"

"I'll do the biscuits if you make the gravy?"

"Oh…that sounds good. Now, help me get out of bed and we can have breakfast."

"Come on, Cougar." He stated as he reached out a hand for her to take.

"I'm only older by two days." She sassed.

"Two days older is still older dear." He sassed right back.

"Of all the time you actually listen to me, you choose that one time." She teased as Adam pulled her up out of bed.

"Hey, are you up?"

"I am now." A sleepy James answered the phone. His work has been extremely busy over the last couple of weeks, and he has been helping as much as he could with the crews.

"Great, I'm at the door letting myself in. I have breakfast."

James smiled. "V, you are the best."

"Lionel didn't think so."

"Well, I'm not him and he is an idiot." His smile grew when he heard the front door open and close. A few moments later she walked into his bedroom. He was still in bed with the phone on the pillow beside him.

Viola smiled when he pushed himself up against the headboard of the bed. He didn't have a shirt on, and she loved the view of her fiancé.

"V, may I say something?"

"Speak your mind while I get the food out of the bag."

"I love us, and I can't wait for us to wake up with each other."

"I hear a but coming." She whispered.

"Not a but, maybe a wish."

"A wish…?"

"The faster you realize I am not Lionel, the faster our life becomes just us. He is an idiot and a jerk when he treated you like that and let you go. He must be the dumbest man alive. Now, I'm not him. I am grateful for you. I love you. You are perfect for me."

She hung her head a little. She knew James was not her ex-husband.

"Look at you…you knew I have been working a lot of hours the last couple of weeks. You have not complained one moment about it either. You have taken care of me. Now, you wake me up wearing my favorite pair of jeans and brought me breakfast."

"I love you."

"And I love you. Now, I want to get married."

"Well, you did ask." She flirted.

"And I want to follow through with the next step."

"Me too. I was hoping you would want to talk about it this morning."

"So, you set me up with breakfast in bed and my favorite pair of jeans?" He flirted with a mischievous grin.

"Not really." She smiled.

"What are you thinking?" He asked as he took the offered sausage biscuit.

"I was thinking one month from today."

"How about three weeks?"

"Perfect. We get married two weeks from today."

"Great. When we get back from our honeymoon, we look for land and we build our house."

"That sounds perfect, James."

Grace nodded for Jack to continue. Typically, she would have been nervous, but not this time. She knew that William made this situation, and he would have to live with the outcome no matter what Jack and Elizabeth decided. She also knew that Jack and Elizabeth wouldn't keep her from her grandbabies, nor would they keep them away from William. Her only regret was if Jack and Elizabeth decided that was all it would ever be. She wanted a healthy family relationship but knew it would never be like it could have been. Her heart broke over that fact.

"Elizabeth and I have talked about Mr. Thatcher when we first got back from Hamilton. We didn't talk about him again until this past Thursday."

"You two needed that time without him in your conversation."

Jack nodded his head in agreement. He knew she was right, but he also knew this was the time they needed to lay everything out in the open.

"May I ask what you two have decided?"

Henry made his way into the kitchen after finally waking up. The football game was fun, and he enjoyed his time at the Thorton's home. He especially liked having Emily there too. They all sat around eating pizza and enjoying being around the older group. The cheerleaders welcomed Emily into their group as easily as the football players welcomed Henry. Emily wasn't into cheerleading, but she loved that the popular older girls were so friendly to her. She was already in with the football boys by being Franklin's sister.

"Well, it's nice to see you this morning." Sassed Frank.

"How are you so awake so early?" Moaned Henry.

"It's not early, but I understand. I'm not used to these late nights."

"Me either." Henry stated as he sat down at the table. "I don't think I'm that much of a night owl."

"Well, you work hard as a ball boy. You run as much as anyone out there."

"Well, the coach said I needed to always be beside the ref so when he needed a ball, I would be there with one."

"Well, you are doing a great job." Said a proud Abagail.

"Thanks mom. Now, what's for breakfast?"

"Pancakes and then we are shopping for some clothes for you."

"Shopping…for clothes?" He asked slowly with a bit of fear in his voice.

"Yes, young man. You need fall and winter clothes. So, we need to go shopping."

Henry looked at Frank with a pleading look for help. Frank returned his look like a man who had no say in the matter.

"Mom…I don't think I need any clothes. I'm…"

"You have twenty minutes before we leave."

"Wait…what did I do wrong? I didn't do anything wrong." He pleaded trying to get out of going clothes shopping.

"Excuse me young man?" Abagail asked with a mother's tone and face at her son's attitude.

Henry shrunk under her gaze. "Nothing mom."

"Well…" Jack began. He wanted to say this the right way, but he was struggling. His mother and father always taught him to forgive people and to love everyone. This issue with Elizabeth's father really tested his values. For the first several days coming back from Hamilton, he was so angry with William. Over time and being removed from that environment helped him to overcome the anger that was in the pit of his stomach. While he didn't have the anger toward his father-in-law, he still didn't have any desire to be around him any more than possible. "Elizabeth will call him later today."

Grace nodded her head in acknowledgment, but she didn't say anything. She wanted to make sure that Jack knew he and Elizabeth were in control of this.

"She felt it was the right time to reach out to Mr. Thatcher."

Grace gave him a small smile at the proper use of her husband's name.

"She wants a relationship with him, and I will support that, but I will keep a small distance from him. While I don't want to punch him any longer, I also don't want to be around him."

"That makes perfect sense, son. I understand that completely."

"Thank you. Elizabeth and I both agree that you are more than welcome here anytime you want to come."

"Thank you, Jack. Is William welcomed here."

Jack lowered his head and nodded. "He is, but there will be a distance between me and him. I will not ignore him, but I will not seek him out." He sighed.

"I know this is difficult for you and Elizabeth.

"Grace, I hope you understand that you are encouraged to be here, especially in eight weeks. That is senior night at the high school."

"What's senior night?"

"It's the last regular season home game for the seniors. Before the football game, all the senior cheerleaders and football players are escorted to the middle of the field by their parents. It's a pretty special night for them."

"That sounds nice. I will be here."

"Well, you need to be here. I haven't told Elizabeth yet, but a few of the football players has asked me if you and Elizabeth would escort them that night onto the field."

Grace brought her hand to her mouth trying to keep herself from crying. "They did what?" She barely spoke above a whisper.

"The young men with a really bad home life wanted you and Elizabeth to walk them out on their last night. Me too with a few of them. You two have made a huge difference in their lives. They asked me if you two would be willing to do that. I said you two would be honored to do it."

She couldn't speak. She was completely in shock and emotional with their desire to have her escort them. "I would love too."

"If Mr. Thatcher wants to visit, he is welcomed here, but Grace…" He paused trying to say it the right way. "You have to understand this isn't my idea. I honestly don't want him here. However, I will never keep him away from Elizabeth or her away from him. I know what it's like to not have a father around, and I will not force that onto Elizabeth. But Grace, you and Mr. Thatcher must realize that if he pushes like last time and he treats my wife or my kids with anything less than the respect that they deserve, I will forcibly throw him out of my house."

"I understand, Jack. William will also understand."

Jack nodded his head.

"Jack, if I may ask a question?"

Jack nodded his head without saying anything.

"Will you ever call him Willliam again?"

Jack looked into Grace's eyes. He simply stated in a soft tone. "No."

They didn't realize that Elizabeth was standing in the doorway of her bedroom that opened into the kitchen and living room.

"Jack doesn't hate father. However, he doesn't like him either. He will forcibly throw father out of our house at my request if his behavior isn't better."

Both Jack and Grace turned to look at Elizabeth.

"I understand. Thank you for allowing me to be here and experience this with you all."

"Mother."

"Mom." Jack and Elizabeth spoke together.

"You are always welcomed here any time. So is father, but only when he behaves himself. He will not disrespect us in our home. I'm not sure when Jack and I will go back to Hamilton, but it won't be anytime soon. If I go back, it may be with or without Jack."

Grace nodded in agreement. She understood completely. The rift between her father and William was playing out in front of her all over again, except William was welcomed at Jack's and Elizbeth's house.

"That makes perfect sense and I agree completely. I wouldn't change a thing. I just hope over time if William continues to make this right, that things will become better."

Elizabeth and Jack both nodded their head in agreement. Neither one of them wanted this type of relationship in their family, but this was where they were at the moment. Elizabeth and Grace prayed that William was honest and put forth an effort going forward.

Elizabeth and Grace stood at the departure gate of Grace's gate. Both were dreading this moment all morning and neither wanted to cry. However, that was exactly what they were doing. Since Elizabeth was married, her mother and her relationship changed. They grew closer. With the situation the last time in Hamilton, Grace staying the last two weeks, and the time with the football boys and their games, their relationship deepened to a level they never had before. They just didn't want to let go of each other.

"Now little one, you better take care of my baby girl and then you need to take care of my grandbabies." She stated through tears.

"I will."

"Please don't push yourself too much. Listen to your body and do what it tells you." She pointed her finger at her middle daughter.

Elizabeth laughed. Her mother always did that when she was trying to get her point across.

"I'll promise to do my very best."

They stood and held each other for as long as they could.

"Please call me when you get home." Elizabeth stated as she laid her head on her mother's shoulder.

"I will."

When the boarding was announced for Grace's flight, she refused to let go of her daughter. She held on a few more minutes until last call for boarding was announce. While still holding her daughter but leaning back enough to look into her eyes. She began.

"Elizabeth, thank you for every moment you have given me these past two weeks. They have been a blessing to me. I will remember them forever. I love you! I am going to miss you more than I can describe."

While looking at Elizabeth, she spoke to Charlette.

"Ok mom. She's in your care. Please take care of my little one."

"I promise I will do almost as good as you." Charlette offered a slight smile.

Grace placed a hand on Elizabeth's belly. She looked down at it as she began to speak. "This is Nana. I'm one of your grandmothers." She lovingly rubbed her hand across the babies. "You two play nice with each other and with mommy. She loves you and is taking great care of you two. I love you! I will see you soon, ok?"

Elizabeth gasped at Grace's name she used while talking to her babies. This actually made Elizabeth cry more.

"Mother, can't you just move here?" She asked as she placed her head on her mother's shoulder.

"I'll see you soon, sweetheart. I need to go before they pull away from the gate."

"So, if I don't let go, you can't leave?"

Grace kissed the top of Elizabeth's head that expressed all the love she had for her daughter. "Soon, Elizabeth. I'll see you soon."

With that, she released her daughter and picked up her carry on bag. "Tell the boys I'll wear my jersey every Friday night if I'm here or not."

Elizabeth laughed and nodded her head. She watched her mother walk toward the gate agent and then disappear down the tunnel toward her plane. Charlette walked up and placed her arm around Elizabeth and gave her a gentle squeeze.

"Nana will be back before you know it." Charlette stated while Elizabeth chuckled.

"Mom, if my mother can't be here, you are the next best thing."

"Let's go dear and you better not make me cry. You know I don't like that." Charlette warned her with a big smile on her face.

James and Viola spend the morning together planning their wedding in two weeks. They wanted to be married outside and was hoping the weather would cooperate. They wanted a smaller type of wedding. With her getting married without any family the first time, she was determined her family would be there. James' parent had already passed away and he did have a sister who would be attending. For Viola, this wasn't about prestige or impressing anyone. She simply wanted to marry her soulmate in the presence of her family.

"Well, since all of that is determined, I need to begin to work on the honeymoon." James stated.

"I'm assuming this is something you are going to do all by yourself?"

"It is…and no snooping!" He warned her.

"Me…snoop…James, would I do that?" She sassed.

"You're kidding…right." He returned the sass.

"James, what type of house are you wanting?"

"I would love a little land. I don't want a house sitting on a small piece of land like half an acre. I don't want a huge farm, but some room would be nice."

"I like that. I would love a wrap around porch."

"Oh…that sounds nice. One or two story home?" He asked.

"I'm not too sure. I like some aspects of both." She thoughtfully stated. "I do love Tom and Julie's house."

"Why don't we make plans for a one and two story home. Then we can pick the one we like best."

"Do you think that's doable?"

"Sweetheart, I own a construction company. I think we can build what we want." He sassed her a little. "I have access to some of the best carpenters there is."

"Alright funny man." She playfully smacked his bicep. "Let's get to planning.

"Mom…" Whined Henry. "I have already tried on seven pairs of pants. They all fit the same. Why do I have to try on another pair of pants?"

"There a different brand. These may fit different."

"Mom, they have all been different pairs of pants and they all fit the same."

"Henry Hogan…you need to do what your mother says." She gave him her best mother's tone.

Henry rolled his eyes as he took the next three pairs of pants from her arms and headed toward the changing room.

"I saw that young man!" She exclaimed.

Henry chuckled as he closed the door to the small changing room.

"Mrs. Hogan?" Abagail heard a friendly voice she was beginning to know.

She turned around to see Emily and her mother standing a few feet away. Emily has the same expression as Henry just did. Both were holding several pairs of pants and shirts.

"Hello Emily." Abagail gave Emily and her mother a huge smile.

She leaned toward Emily's mother. "Are you having the same battle I am having with Henry?"

"Don't you know it." Ann, Emily's mother, sated. "I didn't know buying a few fall and winter clothes was going to turn into the eye roll training for the Olympics."

"I think Henry may win the gold." Abagail laughed.

"Emily may give him a run for his money." Ann stated then noticed the horrified look from her daughter.

Henry stepped outside of the changing room wearing a pair of pants. He wasn't paying attention when he walked up to his mom. "See, mom…these fit just like the other pairs I have tried on." Once again, he rolled his eyes.

Abagail grabbed the front button of the pants and gave them a tug. "Yeah…plenty of room."

Henry looked up and made eye contact with Emily. He finally noticed she was standing there. "Mom…! Don't do that!" He stated horrified that Emily just witnessed his mom tugging on his pants.

Emily gave him a knowing smile and shook her head. She has been having the same issue with her mother.

"Henry, they do look very nice on you." Emily stated while blushing a little.

Henry gave her a soft smile. "Mom, I think I'll take these."

Ann and Abagail gave each other a knowing smile.

"Ann, if you two are about finished and you don't have plans for lunch, would you please join Henry and me for lunch?"

Emily's eyes brightened at Abagail's statement. "Can we, mom?" She asked with enthusiasm."

"Sure."

Jack was in the back yard playing fetch with Rip. Elizabeth watched for a few minutes out of the French doors watching Jack throw the ball and Rip run after it. She laughed a few times when Jack had to chase Rip because the dog wouldn't give up the ball. She picked up her phone and walked to the front porch. She sat on a rocking chair for a few moments before opening her cell phone's address book and finding the name she was looking for.

"Elizabeth, it that you?" An excited but hesitant William spoke.

"Hello father. How are you doing?"

"I'm ok. Your mother said you are doing well. How are you?"

"I'm good. Me and the Peanuts are doing well."

There was a long, awkward silence between the two. Elizabeth had wanted to talk to her father, but she was very close to just hanging up the phone. She shared with Jack that she was going to call her father. He was supportive in her decision.

"Elizabeth," William began. "I am so very sorry for my actions that night and the months before."

Elizabeth nodded but didn't say anything. She wasn't sure what she was going to say. Part of her missed her father's voice and another part wanted to yell at him for what he has done.

"I was acting very childish, and I am afraid I have done something I can never undo or unsee."

"Unsee?"

In a hushed voice, "Seeing you grab your tummy and falling to the ground and crying out in pain. That has haunted me since that night."

"Yeah…" She stated.

"I know it's going to take me time, but I will continue to show you I am sorry for what I did. I will never act like that again." He paused for a moment. "I will also show Jack that I have changed."

"Father, you understand this will be a process that will take time?"

"Yes, Elizabeth. I do."

"And we will never be where we should be? That we may never get back to where we were?"

"I do. I am hoping that will be resolved as well over time."

"I'm not sure it will be resolved to the degree you want." William couldn't help but hear the tone of sorrow in her voice.

The conversation between Elizabeth and William was guarded at best. They spoke for ten minutes, and Elizabeth caught William up on her health and the progress of her new home. The conversation was not how William would have wanted, but he was once again reminded he wasn't in control of the situation. Elizabeth shut down any topic that was too in depth in her opinion. She had made up her mind that was going to be the case before she called. She was determined this was going to be a slow progress to whatever end it happened to be.

Rip came running around the side of the house with a stick in his mouth. When he saw Elizabeth sitting on the front porch, he immediately made his way to her. He sat down at her feet, and she began to rub his head and ear.

"Did I just hear a dog?" William asked.

"Yes, Jack found it at the pond, and he came home with Jack. His name is Rip."

"You have a dog…and what pond?"

"We have a pond on our property and the dog was a stray that was living here. Jack found it when he took the football boys there fishing. The dog came home with him, and he is our dog now. We named him Rip."

"Wow, I have missed out on a lot." William stated.

"Yes, father…you most certainly have."