Jack came in from town, he had a few stops to make after he left Fairfield. Lisa seemed better when he left her this morning, but he still couldn't help but think that there was something she wasn't talking about, it would work itself out as it always did. He knew he couldn't press her to talk. He entered the house, Katie, Peter, and Lou were playing a card game "Hi Jack" said Peter. He hung his hat up and grabbed a cup of coffee "Hi". He grabbed the paper and went to sit down, leaving them to finish their game. That evening Lou made lasagna for supper as they all sat down "Lisa, is there anything that Katie needs for the trip?" asked Lou. Lisa set her fork down "Just her passport. I have everything else taken care of." The conversation turned to everyone sharing their day. Peter and Lou were doing dishes, so Jack handed Lisa her jacket and led her out to the bench. "Did you make out okay after I left today?" he asked. She squeezed his hand "I did, I needed last night, thank you. You always know what I need." He kissed the side of her head, "You do for me also, Lis. What time are you leaving Thursday?" he inquired. "Flight is at 9" she said. He wrapped his arm around her and placed his other hand on her face, so she was looking at him "Ok" before leaning in and kissing her. It brought back memories of when they were "fooling" around all those years ago. Their foreheads together when they broke "I'm going to miss you." She smiled, "I'm going to miss you too." He kissed her again before standing up. They went in and settled in for the night.
The next night, Lisa checked on Katie who was finishing packing "Hey, you all ready?" she asked after knocking on her door. Katie zipped up her suitcase "I think so, I don't know if I'll sleep tonight, I'm excited." Lisa laughed, "I suggest trying to get some sleep, it'll be a long flight tomorrow. Do you have something to read on the flight?" Katie pointed to a smaller bag "All packed, laptop is charging." Lisa crossed the room and hugged her 'Good, get some sleep. I'll see you in the morning." Katie returned the hug "I'll try." Lisa left Katie's room as Jack was coming out of the kitchen turning the lights off. He held his hand out for her to take, leading her to their room. He closed the door and turned her to him, wrapping his arms around her, "are you done for the night?" he asked her with a hopeful look "I am with work anyways." He looked at her confused as she wrapped her arms around his neck "What else do you have?" She smiled and kissed him gently "nighttime routine and spending the night wrapped in my husband's arms." He chuckled, "I think I can handle that." She smiled "You sure, cowboy?" He kissed her again "very, now hurry." She left their room and went to finish her nighttime routine before coming back, Jack was waiting for her with their bed turned down. She got in and turned to him "I'm all yours". He turned off the light and wrapped his arms around her, maneuvering them back to the pillows locked in an embrace.
The beeping of Lisa's alarm woke up, she reached for her phone groaning as Jack also started to stir, keeping his arm around her. He propped up on one elbow looking down at her, she smirked "What?" looking up at him, half asleep. "You're beautiful, you know that." It was more of a statement than a question before she leaned up and kissed him "You don't have to flirt, I'm all yours Jack Bartlett." He chuckled "I'm glad you chose this old worn out cowboy. I'm going to miss you." She kissed him once more before moving to get out of bed. He also got up so they could get dressed. He took her luggage to her car as she made some coffee. Katie came into the kitchen, "Morning" as she got some juice and a muffin. Jack came back in "Katie, is your luggage all ready to go?" She went to her room and got it so it could be loaded also. Lisa handed Jack a cup of coffee to drink as everyone filtered in for an early breakfast. Lyndy was half asleep but climbed up in Lisa's lap. "Can I go with you, Lisa?" Lisa looked down and smiled "Honey bunny, not this time but when you're older you can go with me. And I need you to stay here and look after your GG for me, okay?" Lyndy nodded "Okay" before hugging her. Peter and Lou said their goodbyes, Lisa put Lyndy down hugging her once more and Amy. Jack reached for her hand as they all walked out the door. Jack drove them to the airport, when they arrived he unloaded their luggage so they could check it. When they were done, he hugged Katie "you have fun with Lisa" before turning to Lisa. He leaned down and kissed her "I love you, Lis." She kissed him softly again "I love you more, cowboy. I'll call you." before picking up her carryon bag. Jack headed back to Heartland as Lisa and Katie headed towards the security line.
Lisa and Katie boarded and settled in. Katie was still bubbling with excitement, shortly after takeoff, she looked at Lisa "This is amazing, Lisa." Lisa had been reviewing a file and looked her way "I felt the same way once, I suppose now I'm just used to it although I don't do it as often as I once did." Katie looked thoughtfully at her "well I know GG loves having you home, he's in a better mood when you're around. He used to tell me he was sending you the pictures I drew and that you were homesick" making Lisa smirk. "You are right, I did get homesick and still do, especially on the longer trips. I don't like being away from Jack anymore than he likes me being away to be honest." Lisa purposely didn't acknowledge the picture's comment, she had a surprise for Katie when they got to her house. Lisa filled Katie in on their plans during the flight and encouraged her to get some rest. Once they landed, they collected their luggage and headed to Lisa's house. Katie was taking it all in as they arrived. Lisa showed her around and the guestroom she would be staying in "I have to make a couple calls, go ahead and get settled." she told her before going down the hall to her office. She texted Jack as she sat down "Here, love you and miss you." He heard his phone beep, picking it up, he responded "Love you".
Over the next few days, Jack fell into his normal routine of keeping busy around the ranch. He had talked to Lisa or texted her daily as always counting down until she was home. Lisa took Katie with her to her luncheons and the track to meet some clients. After finishing with a client, Lisa started to not feel so well, the pain had returned that had been lingering the last few weeks. Katie had followed her "Lisa, you okay?" as Lisa sat down she saw her face was slightly pale. Lisa patted her hand "Yeah, I just need a minute then we can head back to the house." Katie sat down next to her "What's wrong?" putting her hand on her back. Lisa took a deep breath "Nothing to be concerned about, come on let's go home" as she stood up to go to the car. Katie watched Lisa as they were driving. Once they got home, Lisa headed to the kitchen for a glass of water. She saw Katie was concerned "Honey, don't worry. I'll be alright in just a little while. I sometimes get slight flare ups but they pass." Katie sat next to her "Do you need to go to the doctor or call GG?" she asked. Lisa patted her hand and shook her head "I've had it for years now, the doctor monitors it and your GG knows about it. No need to worry, I promise." Lisa didn't like talking about it and knew if Jack found out he would worry, her last scans were fine and she hadn't needed to worry since a couple years ago when she broke down in Jack's arms waiting on those results. Lisa stood up and reached for her "Come on, you pick a movie and we can spend the afternoon here" Katie stood up and turned the movie on as Lisa had settled into the couch. Katie took note that her color had sorta returned to normal. That evening, Jack called as she was making them supper. They talked for a few minutes before hanging up. Back at Heartland, Jack detected something in her voice even though she was trying to mask it by being upbeat about their day. Even though they had just hung up, he texted her "Love you, Lis. Miss you." Lisa's phone beeped as they were sitting down, she saw Jack's message and smiled as she responded "miss you, love you more. XOXO." Katie saw her eyes sparkle "GG?" Lisa smiled "Yes" Katie smiled "I figured, you light up when you talk to him.' Lisa just smiled, she wasn't wrong, Jack was her rock and didn't know what she would do without him. They cleaned up the kitchen after supper and settled in for the evening.
The next day, Lisa woke up and was feeling even worse unfortunately. She had promised Katie a day out of shopping, she wasn't sure she was up for it. She got up and took some medicine before laying back down, hoping to start feeling better. She must've dozed off, she woke up and heard Katie in the kitchen. She put her robe on and went out to offer to make her breakfast. Katie saw her coming down the hall "Hi, do you want some breakfast?" Lisa half smiled "No thank you, I was actually going to offer to make you something." Katie looked at her sorta sideways "Lisa, I know it's none of my business but you don't look so good." Lisa sighed "I know, I'm sorry honey. I was hoping I would feel better but I'm not." Katie put an arm around her "How about I make you some toast and you go lay back down. It's what you've done for me when I was sick." Lisa chuckled "Thank you" as she headed back towards her room. Katie brought a tray in and set it down on the table next to the bed. Lisa could tell she was worried. "Katie, sit down for a minute. I'll be alright, I just have some flare ups that happen every now and then.I usually feel bad for a day or so and then I'm as good as new." Katie looked down "What type of flare up? I'm sorry it's none of my business" she stood up. Lisa took her hand and motioned for her to sit again "I honestly don't like talking about it, not even with your GG. But to be transparent, I have a cyst that flares up every now and then, it's been recurring since I was younger." Lisa reached to hug her as Katie spoke "I won't tell anyone, Lisa, I promise. Thank you for telling me." Lisa pulled back from their hug "Thank you, I just don't need anyone worrying. I do enough of that myself." Katie stood up, "I'll let you get some rest." Lisa didn't feel like eating, but Katie went through the effort of making it, she tried to eat the toast before experiencing the hot flash that also accompanies this "issue" as she calls it. She was thankful she didn't have any client meetings for a couple days, but also not liking it was happening with Katie here taking away from them having fun. Katie checked on her throughout the day. It was early evening when Lisa made her way out to the living room "What are you reading?' Katie held up the journal. "Any family secrets you want to share?" as she sat down, making Katie chuckle "GG Lyndy said GG was stubborn back then too." Lisa laughed "I'm sure he was. I wouldn't want him any other way." Katie set the journal down "are you feeling better?" Lisa sighed "a little, Katie, I'm sorry we didn't get to go do anything today." Katie sat up, "Lisa, it's totally fine, I don't mind." They had a quiet evening watching a movie and talking about the journal, school, etc.
The next day, Lisa woke up feeling like herself. She got dressed and was making breakfast as Katie came into the kitchen. "Morning, honey" Lisa said as she put a plate in front of her. Katied thanked her as she sat down. They had breakfast and cleaned up. Lisa asked her if she was ready to go "You're feeling better?" Lisa wrapped an arm around her "Good as new." They headed out and spent the day shopping and sightseeing before having dinner. After a full day, they headed home both tired and quickly retired for the evening. Katie checked in with Lou while Lisa talked with Jack. Lisa had settled in early, only to wake up with yet another hot flash and queasy. She tried to will it away but gave up and headed towards the bathroom. "Great" she said to herself as she climbed back in bed, it was still the wee hours of the morning. She didn't get back to sleep though, only to be sick a couple more times. Katie heard her once, she made her a cup of tea and crackers and set it on the bedside table while Lisa was in the bathroom. She came out and saw it, inwardly kicking herself that Katie heard. She took a sip and propped herself up, leaning her head back against the headboard. Katie closed the door, she knew Lisa didn't want Jack to know and Lisa said this was normal, but she also remembered it was only a day or so, it was now day 4 that she knew of. She started to dial the phone and then stopped, setting her phone down. She picked it up again and took a deep breath, she dialed Jack's number. Jack was coming back across the yard with Tim "I bet you wish you were with Lisa don't you?" Jack looked at him "actually yes, she asked me to go." Tim shrugged "So why didn't you, I've got things here." Before Jack could answer, Tim started to walk off and his phone rang. He looked down and saw it was Katie, "Hello?" Katie looked towards her door as she talked, hoping Lisa wouldn't come check on her "GG, you busy?" He entered the house and sat down "Nope, are you having fun with Lisa?" "Yes, I was calling though for a reason….you see Lisa's not feeling so well. She said it was normal to be feeling like this for a day or so but she's been like this for four days." Jack knew something was up, but he didn't want Katie to worry anymore "Katie, she does get these spells. Where is Lisa?" he asked. Katie told him she was in her room but had been sick, so she made her some tea and crackers. Jack told her everything would be fine and not to mention it to anyone else, Lisa was private when it came to her health. He was going to book a ticket and he'd be there this evening. Katie was relieved but also worried that Lisa would be upset. Jack told her not to worry about it, he'd be there. Just keep an eye on Lisa and let him know if she appeared to get worse. They hung up, Jack packed a bag and told Tim he was right, he did have everything handled and was going to go with Lisa for the remainder of her trip.
Jack didn't like flying especially by himself but he knew Katie wouldn't have called if she didn't think it was necessary. He also didn't like going to France but Lisa loved it and they did have some good memories despite their first trip many years ago leading to their breakup. He thought back over the years, how much their relationship had grown and become stronger. Thinking back to what Katie said, brought him back to when Lisa was upset with him for missing the appointment with her lawyer only to later tell him about the scans and her health scare. She confided in him that these "flare ups" that she had, were ongoing since she was much younger. It was something she dealt with and rarely talked about, similar to his heart issues. Meanwhile back at the house, Katie checked on Lisa who appeared to be sleeping. Jack had texted her and let her know he was on his way and would be there soon. She was in the living room when the door opened, she got up and hugged him "GG, I'm glad you're here. Lisa's sleeping or she was when I checked on her." He released her "alright, I'll look in on her. She'll be alright, honey" as he picked up his bag and headed to their room.
