Saturday morning brought a brisk wind with it. One Elizabeth thoroughly enjoyed on her morning run. It had been so long since she'd gone for a good hard run outside. Before adopting Levi, running was part of the daily routine. Once the little guy became part of her life, her running turned into the occasional hobby while visiting with her parents, but since moving to New York, all her morning runs consisted of a quick hop on the treadmill before Levi awoke. That was, when she could get herself out of bed in time.
This morning's run was all about enjoying life. The beat of old 90's and 2000's pop music kept her going at a steady pace down the sparsely wooded trail not far from her condo. Boy band music like the Backstreet Boys and NSYNC, kept her energized, but also made her laugh along the way. These used to be her favorite songs. Now she couldn't believe she'd ever danced around in her room singing along to every word.
Half way through the song "The One," by the Backstreet Boys, the music cut out with a repetitive beeping. Altering her of an incoming call. She slowed to a walk and hit to the answer button on the headphones.
"Hello?"
"Hey."
It was Jack. His smooth sexy voice on the line left her heart pounding harder than the run.
"Hi Jack."
"Just out of curiosity, I did dream you coming to visit me last night?"
"Nope," she giggled. "That really happened. Do you remember anything that happened after I showed up?"
"I do, yes."
"Good. Are you okay with all of it now that you're thinking of it in the morning light?"
"Definitely." An awkward silence fell between them. "What time are you picking up Levi this morning?"
"I'm just finishing up a run now. I figure I'll shower and then head over to the house. Your mom invited me for breakfast."
"Yeah, I was thinking of maybe going by there to this morning myself. If that's okay with you, that is."
"Why would you ask me if it's okay to go to your mother's house for breakfast?" she teased.
"Okay, I guess that does sound kind of weird. I just didn't want you thinking I was stalking you or something," he laughed nervously. "I'm a little out of practice at this whole thing to tell you the truth."
"And what whole thing might that be?"
"You know…"
"I'm not sure." She played. "I may have the wrong idea, maybe you should clarify for me."
"Wow, you don't cut a guy a break do you?" He laughed. "You want me to say out loud?"
"I think you can handle it."
"I bet your right."
"Besides, it sounds like you may be having a bit of a memory problem."
"Okay fine. Here it is. This thing we're doing, getting to one another, being friends, being… more than friends. That's what we're doing right?"
"Right." She was so grateful that he couldn't see her blushing through the phone.
"This is going to be good, Elizabeth. I can tell." She could almost see his dimples in the way he was talking and wished she was standing in front of them. "Okay then. I will see you in a little bit."
"Okay. Bye."
"Bye, Elizabeth."
With her hands on her hips and her head up to the sky she closed her eyes and took in a deep breath. It did nothing to slow her heart rate or the intensity of the fluttering butterflies in her stomach.
"Oh Jack Thornton, what are you doing to me?"
As she continued her run home, she thought back on her past relationships. Never had she been with a guy like Jack. There was Andrew, the accountant, sweet and gentle in temperament. Not really the icon of manliness however. Then there was Charles, the lawyer, man;y, and strong in stature. One of the things she liked about him was how safe she felt when they were together.
All that being said, Charles never gave her heart the thundering heart rate she was having now or the goosebumps at the mere thought of him. That was all Jack. Her strong, kind, handsome new "friend."
….
An hour later Jack walked up onto the front porch of his mom's home. Peering in through the window he could see the two boys sitting on the couch in they're sleeping bags watching morning cartoons.
Glancing back out at the driveway, he noticed Elizabeth's car wasn't there yet.
"Dude, whatcha doing snooping around?" Tom said opening the door. Jack nearly jumped out of his skin in surprise. Tom just laughed. "Get in here."
Jack sneaked past the boys and headed straight for the kitchen, knowing a fresh pot of coffee was sure to be there. As he poured himself a cup, Tom leaned against the opposite counter, staring at him.
"You got something to say there, little bro? Or did I miss a spot shaving this morning?"
"Really? That's all you're going to say to me after last night?"
"Last night? What about it are you referring to?"
Tom snatched a dish towel off the counter and whipped it at Jack. "Please tell me you weren't an idiot last night. I'm begging you!"
Jack took a sip of his coffee. "Not sure I know how to answer that one. What I will tell you though, is that I have a sort of a date tonight with a beautiful woman."
"Yes!" Tom exclaimed, doing a little victory dance in the middle of the kitchen. "I knew my plan would work!"
"Don't get too proud of yourself there. Your little plan easily could have backfired royally."
"Nope. I know you, brother. I could see how you felt about her and her you."
"If you say so."
"I do." Tom turned to get his own coffee but stopped. "Just to be clear, this beautiful woman you're talking about going out with tonight, that is Elizabeth right?"
Jack rolled his eyes. "Yes, genius. It's Elizabeth."
As the brothers continued giving each other a hard time, the downstairs bedroom door creaked open as Charlotte sluggishly exited her room. She looked tired, and was sporting a long loose braid over her shoulder. Her contacts were out and her thick, dark rimmed glasses were on so she could see. That is, if she'd open her eyes.
"Morning boys," she yawned as she entered the kitchen. "You two are loud this morning, you know that?"
"Sorry," both boys apologized.
"I'll tell you something, the older I get the more I sleep and less rest I seem to get. Where the sense is in that, I'll never know."
"Sorry, Mom." With a dimpled grin Jack walked over and kissed her sweetly on the cheek.
"Well, good morning to you," she laughed. "You seem to be in a good mood."
"He's got a date tonight with you know who!" Tom stated proudly.
Charlotte's eyes grew wide and her jaw dropped. "You mean your brother's crazy idea actually worked?"
"I guess," Jack shrugged. "But I don't think we need to phrase it that way."
"Oh yes we do need to phrase it that way!" Tom demanded playfully. "I was right! Everything is great! You may now name your firstborn son after me."
"Not a chance." Jack said, swatting Tom on the back of the head. "One of you is more than enough in this world right now."
"Play nice boys." Charlotte grabbed her apron from the pantry and tied it around her waist. "Who's helping me with breakfast this morning? And just in case there's any confusion, the correct answer is both of you."
….
Elizabeth pulled up to the house a little later than she had initially planned. Knowing that she would see Jack that morning, she'd spent a little bit more attention on her appearance than she'd normally would have. The last thing she wanted was for him to see her in the bright daylight and think that maybe he shouldn't have asked her out like he'd done. She knew her thought process was a bit on the crazy side, but there was no way of stopping it.
"Mom!" Levi yelled as she entered the house. He hopped off the couch and hobbled over to her. Curls bouncing as he went. After a hug he signed, "Missed you!"
"I missed you too! Did you have fun?"
"A lot of fun!" She could tell. The smile on his adorable little face was the brightest she'd seen in a long time. "And guess what? Jack's here!"
"Yeah?"
"Hey."
There's those goosebumps again. She turned around and there he was looking handsome in his dark washed jeans and rust red henley.
"Well good morning again," Elizabeth smiled.
Levi tapped her arm. "Jack said he'd take me for a ride on the four-wheeler again soon. You have to say yes first."
"Yes," she signed. "Sometime after your knees healed."
Levi fist pumped in the air then headed back to the couch with Ryan.
"How was your run?" Jack asked as he gazed at her from head to toe. She was breathtaking, and for the first time, he allowed himself to fully appreciate the sight.
"It was good. I think I'll be sore later though."
"Still up for tonight?"
"Yes, I'm looking forward to it."
"Good, me too."
…..
Breakfast at the Thorntons was beyond wonderful. As Elizabeth looked around the large table and saw the loving faces of Charlotte, Tom, Jack and the boys, she felt happy. It was as if she and Levi had been brought into a new family with open arms. Finally, this state was starting to feel like home.
Elizabeth and Levi were now back home. She had yet to tell him about their evening plans. It wasn't that she thought Levi wouldn't be excited. He already loved Jack. The hesitation was more due to a desire to figure out how to manage Levis expectations around the subject. This relationship was very new. It wouldn't do any of them any good for Levi to be thinking wedding bells when there was no way of telling where this would end up.
With Levi busy playing with his action figures in the living room, Elizabeth grabbed her phone and headed up to her room to make a call in private.
"Well hello!" Rosie sang. "How was the big date?"
"We decided not to see each other again."
"Oh no! Why?"
"Because I'm going out on a date with Jack. Tonight actually."
Rosie squealed loudly, causing Elizabeth to wince and pull the phone away from her ear. "Are you done yet? I need your help."
Downstairs Levi looked around the living room for his mom.
"Mom?" he used his voice to call out incase she could hear him from the other room and come back. Nothing. He looked around but when he didn't see her, he went to look upstairs. He was thirsty, but knew he wasn't supposed to go into the fridge without permission.
After carefully making his way upstairs without a crutch, he stood in the doorway to Elizabeth's room. Levi saw Elizabeth on the phone. Not wanting to interrupt, he watched her, reading her lips as she spoke. As good as he was at lip reading, he couldn't keep up with her fast pace chatter. There were some words he caught though, like "Charles" and "date."
"No!" he yelled, causing Elizabeth to spin around.
"Levi, you okay?" she signed with her free hand.
Not understanding or waiting around to do so, Levi shook his head and stormed off. Thundering down the stairs and almost losing his balance in the process.
"Rosie, I have to let you go. Something's up with Levi."
"Oh dear! Call me if you need me. Bye."
"Bye!" Tossing her phone, she hurried down the stairs after her son. It took a moment, but she found him. Hiding under a blanket on the couch. If she wasn't so worried about his outburst, she might have found this display more adorable.
She sat next to him and slowly removed the blanket from over his head. "Hi, my love."
"I don't like Charles! I like Jack!"
"I know you do sweetie."
"Then why are you dating him?"
"What? Who?"
"I saw you talking to Aunt Rosie. You said 'date' and 'Charles' in one sentence."
"Oh no sweetie!" She hugged him tight, then pulled back to sign some more. "No, no. I'm not with Charles again. I won't ever be."
"What'd you say then?"
"I was telling Aunt Rosie that tonight I have a date."
"Who?" Levi signed enthusiastically.
"Jack, baby. Tonight you and I are going to have dinner with Jack at his house. If that's okay with you?"
Without a word, he blanked rapidly.
"Levi?"
"You're dating Jack?"
"Maybe."
"Maybe?"
"Sort of."
"Mom! I'm so confused."
"Me too…"
They sat still, staring at each other for a moment.
"I need to pick out nice clothes!" He hopped off the couch and grabbed his knee in pain. "Mom, you help?"
Elizabeth couldn't help but smile. "Yeah, baby. I'll help."
….
At 5 o'clock on the dot, Jack pulled up to the curb in front of Elizabeth's townhouse. Sitting and waving from the porch was Levi. He was dressed in what looked like his best shirt and a pair of khaki shorts.
"Hey bud!"
"Hi! CanI ask you something?"
"Of course."
"Are you dating my mom?"
Jack laughed, this kid was nothing, if not direct. "What does your mom say?"
"She's confused."
Jack knelt down in front of him and began to sign, again "If it's okay with you, I'd like to date your mom."
"It's very okay with me! I like you way more than boring Charles."
"Who?"
Before Levi could answer, Elizabeth stepped outside. Having not witnessed any of the boys' conversation. "Hi Jack."
"Wow," he stood. "Don't you look gorgeous."
She tilted her head to the side with a smirk. "Jack, it's just jeans and a sweater. Nothing special."
"I beg to differ." Levi tugged on his arm. "What bud?"
"We going in the truck?"
"Yeah, let's go."
Jack buckled Levi into the booster in the back seat then moved out of the way to extend his hand to Elizabeth to help her in the cab.
"You ready?" he asked her softly.
"Ready."
The twenty minute drive to Jack's house was done with companionable silence. Once they reached the end of the long winding driveway, Jack decided to let Elizabeth and Levi in on what he had planned for the evening then took him into the house and lead them straight to the kitchen.
Elizabeth was in awe of the finished detail in the kitchen. She knew Jack liked cooking and experimenting in the kitchen, but this kitchen looked fit for a chef.
Jack lifted Levi up onto the bar stool and signed as he spoke. "It's make your own pizza night. We'll fix them here in the kitchen then take them out to the fire pit to cook."
"Can I have two toppings?" Levi asked with glee.
"You can have as many as you want. Just ask Mom first."
A few minutes later, they were making a mess of the pristine counter as they prepared their meal.
"Broccoli?" Elizabeth wrinkled up her nose. "Who puts broccoli on pizza?"
"It's a good source of iron." Jack shrugged.
"It's pizza… it's not supposed to be healthy. Greasy, yes. Fattening, yes. But healthy..."
"Would it make you feel better if I put sausage and extra cheese on with it?"
"A little," she laughed.
Later, with the fire going, Jack and Elizabeth sat in two of the adirondack chairs watching the flames dance around in the pit. Levi sat close by on the grass in the yard, putting together a wooden airplane kit that Jack had purchased for him. Once he put it together, he'd be able to paint it and send it flying.
"Where do you get that thing?" Elizaneth asked. "He's loving it."
"The hardware store in town sells them. I get them for Ryan now and then. I'm glad it's a hit with Levi, too."
"Very. He's been looking into these remote control cars and helicopters. They're pricey, and you build them yourself."
"I've seen those! Tom wants to build one with Ryan. Maybe Levi and I can make one together."
"You'd do that for him?"
"Of course I would."
Elizabeth reached her hand over and took Jack's hand. Without missing a beat, Jack lifted it to his lips, kissing her fingers.
Oh my heart, Elizabeth thought. Is this guy for real?
When the flames died down a bit, Jack moved their pizzas to the metal rack set over the fire pit then took his seat back with Elizabeth. Levi had now moved on to painting his plane, still sitting contently in the grass.
The rest of the night went by with ease. They ate their fill of pizza and then made s'mores with Charlotte's homemade double chocolate chip cookies instead of graham crackers. Levi sore it was the best night of his life.
After the sun had set, the trio stayed by the fire. Levi had fallen asleep with his leg propped up and wrapped up in one of Jack's army blankets for a little extra warmth. As he slept, he let out the softest little snores.
Jack reached out his hand, palm up and open to Elizabeth who was sitting in the chair next to him. Without hesitation, she slid her hand in his.
"Can I ask you something?" he began.
"Sure."
"You can tell me if it's none of my business, I'm just curious. Who's Charles?"
"What? How do you…"
"Levi mentioned him when I came to pick you guys up tonight. He asked if we were dating. I asked him if he was okay with the idea and he happily said yes. Apparently he likes me a lot better than Charles."
"I'm sure he does." Elizabeth laughed. "Charles was never that interested in Levi, not as a father figure."
"Well, that's his loss. Levi's one great kid."
"I fully agree. Though I might be majorly biased."
"Were you guys together long?"
"Longer than we should have been. I don't know, I guess I hoped… I don't know." She sighed.
"You can tell me, you know? I don't judge."
"I know," she smiled. "I think what happened was I let my desire for Levi to have a real family overtake my common sense. Charles was good to me. He never understood why I adopted Levi. He just couldn't wrap his mind around it.
"Whenever we'd be talking about our future, he'd say things like, "When we have kids." I felt like he'd never love Levi like his own. Even feeling that though, I struggled to leave. I'd given so much of myself into our relationship, it was hard to give up."
"You know Elizabeth, Levi does have a real family. You're a phenomenal mother. That boy knows exactly what love is. He gets it from you and shares it with everyone around him."
"Thank you, Jack." A few tears escaped her eyes at his tender words.
"Come here," he whispered, giving her arm a slight tug to pull her over onto his lap. She came willingly, resting her head on his shoulder.
"This is nice," she whispered, enjoying the warmth of his body along with the heat of the fire.
"Yeah, it is."
Picking up her head, Elizabeth gazed into Jack's green eyes. Flecks of gold shown from the fire reflected in them.
Her eyes flicked down to his perfectly shaped lips. Were they as soft as they appeared? She leaned slightly toward him, feeling bold.
Her fingers touched his jaw, slightly rough with stubble.
With his eyes closed, Jack slowly turned his head, placing a soft kiss on her hand.
They both leaned in, breathing in the same air. Just as their lips were about to touch, Jack pulled back with a groan.
"I'm sorry," he whispered.
"No, I'm sorry. I should… just go back over here." Elizabeth moved out of Jack's grasp, but not for long. He wrapped his arms around her waist pulling her close again.
"Let me explain. I want to kiss you."
"You have a strange way of showing it," she joked nervously.
"Yeah. I know." Jack laid his head back and sighed. "There's some stuff about me that I haven't shared with you yet. Secrets that I feel like you need to know before we take that step… but know that it's the hardest thing I've ever done to stop myself. Thing is, if we take that step, I could lose myself in you."
"What kind of secrets?"
"I'm not sure if I can tell you yet. I'm afraid you might walk away and don't think I can handle that. Not now that I know this is what I want."
"I might be tougher than you think, Jack. Maybe give me a hint?"
Jack stared out in the distance. She could see him struggling with whatever it was. Tom had mentioned something had happened before he had come back from the war.
"Look," she continued. "This thing between us is new, but I feel like we have something great starting here. Getting it out and letting go might be what you need to do. You can trust me, Jack."
"I know I can. I'll try. Maybe for now though, could we just sit here. Together."
His eyes were pleading. It was as if he was afraid that he'd lost her already. Far from it. Whatever baggage he was carrying, she vowed to herself to be there for him no matter what.
Elizabeth reached over and tossed another log on the fire then smiled at him.
"I'm not going anywhere."
"I'm really glad to hear you say that."
They settled into their warm, snuggly embrace. Watching the stars, and the little boy sleep beside them.
