Before Elizabeth's car was fully in park in Jack's driveway, Levi was already unbuckled and trying to get out of the back seat.
"Mom!" he whined audibly. When she turned around he signed. "My door is broken."
"No," Elizabeth signed. "It's child-locked."
"What's that mean?"
"It means you can't get out till I say so."
"No fair!"
"Yes fair!" she laughed, then turning off the child locks, she released her little boy.
He hopped out at a run as he made his way to the front porch where Jack and Ranger were waiting.
"Go get him, boy." Jack released the dog to greet Levi. Ranger leapt from the porch and tackled Levi to the ground, making the boy giggle with delight.
Jack passed the K-9 human wrestling match and headed straight to the beauty standing by the car.
"Hey," he grinned, his dimples flashing.
"Hi," she stepped into his space and kissed his lips. "Thanks for having us over tonight. Levi was so excited."
"My pleasure," he said, stealing another kiss. This time letting his lips linger a bit longer. "I'm making stir fry tonight."
"Ah, healthy food," she giggled.
"For dinner, yes, but for dessert I have something special planned."
"Please tell me it involves chocolate."
"It does," he laughed. "Ice cream, brownie sundaes."
"Oh, you know me well!"
Once inside the house, Jack put Levi to work as his second in command in the kitchen. Jack had made a wooden step stool for him so he could reach the counter better and was now teaching Levi how to safely cut the veggies for their stir fry.
Elizabeth sat back and watched her boys as she sipped the glass of white wine Jack had poured for her. Jack had a special way with Levi. He could make him laugh and that little man hung on Jack's every word. Whether Jack realized it or not, he'd become a father figure to Levi.
Once the veggies were cut and placed in the heated wok, Levi asked if he and Range could play outside. Jack agreed and after Levi washed his hands, Jack pulled out his old lacrosse stick and a couple tennis balls for Levi to use for fetch.
Elizabeth moved to the kitchen side of the counter once they were alone. "You are really good with him, Jack."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah. It's amazing to watch. He talks about you all the time and is always asking if you are coming to his next basketball game. He tells his friends that you taught him to shoot baskets."
"That's great to hear. Honestly, I talk about him a lot too. And you, of course. You are both really special to me."
"Good. You are very special to us too."
She sipped her wine as he gave the veggies another stir before adding in some soy sauce and other flavorings.
"How was band practice?"
"Surprisingly fun. It was good to see Tom loosen up and relax again. He used to love playing."
"Think you'll be ready to play for people this weekend?"
"I think so. Time will tell I guess." He stirred the veggies again. "You gonna be there as my groupie, right?"
"That's the plan! All though, you should know, I think a parent of one of my students was trying to ask me out to see him play at the festival this afternoon."
"You're serious?" Jack's voice was playfully stern. "What's he look like?"
"Are we getting jealous there, Thornton?"
"Not at all." He grinned, turning to wrap his arms around her waist. "I feel pretty confident in this relationship right now. Just curious, that's all."
"I'm glad you're not worried. You don't have any reason to be, I promise." Her thoughts trailed back to their closeness from the night before, and her cheeks went red. "Jack, I feel like we should talk about last night."
"Alright." He stepped back and placed the lid on the wok before turning around again, placing his hands back on her waist. "What do you want to say?"
"I don't know, really." She nervously played with the collar of his shirt. "It was wonderful and overwhelming at the same time. If Levi hadn't yelled out..."
"Yeah." Jack leaned them back against the counter. "We should probably figure out if we are going to cross that line or not," he told her.
"I've crossed that line before, Jack. In one relationship. Looking back, it was a really bad idea. I think after that, we both confused love and genuine intimacy with hormones."
"Ah, yeah. That can happen. That's why it's best for that step to be taken by two people who truly love each other. That's what I believe anyway."
"I agree."
The back door flung open with a thud and in ran Levi, followed closely by a dirt covered dog.
"He digs!" Levi told them. "Now he's all dirty."
"I'll take care of it," Elizabeth signed. She took the towel that hung by the back door that she knew was for Ranger and with Levi's help they cleaned the hyper dog right up.
"Trouble is," she spoke to Jack, trying to make it so Levi couldn't see her lips. "Sometimes you think you're both feeling the same but you're really not."
"That's why communication is the key to any relationship."
"What are you talking about?" Levi asked. "You're not signing and you talk too fast."
"Not important, love," she signed to her son. "Go get washed up for dinner."
"Okay."
"Sorry about that." Elizabeth hung up the towel where it had been and went back to Jack's side. He was waiting for her, arms open wide, so she walked right into his embrace.
"You're right, you know, we need to be clear with each other on where we stand. Not just for us, but for Levi as well."
"All clean!" Levi said as he bounced back into the room. He giggled at the sight of his mom and Jack holding each other. "Group hug?"
"Come here," Jack smiled and opened his embrace to include the little boy who happily joined. Jack stood there in silence, holding the two most important people in his world in his arms. "Liz," he pulled her closer, then whispered softly in her ear, "I love you."
She pulled back slightly to look into his eyes. He meant it, she had no doubt. "Jack…" she whispered.
"I do. I love you both more than anything."
Tears welled up in her blue eyes. "I love you too."
Levi let go and tapped their arms. As both adults looked down at him, Levi had both his hands in the air, signing "I love you," at them both.
Jack lifted the boy up in his arms and kissed his cheek. "Now that that's settled, who's hungry?"
….
The days that followed their confession of love were much like the ones that had come before. It was now out in the open that they loved each other, but the truth was, they'd been showing it to each other in many ways already. Elizabeth did feel a new sense of excitement, however. All the thoughts of what it would be like to be a family with Jack that she'd tried to push out of her mind were now front and center. She didn't try to ignore them anymore.
Thursday afternoon Elizabeth left work at lunch, after getting a sub for her last two classes. Her parents were flying into the airport that afternoon and she had insisted on picking them up.
"Beth!" Grace yelled from about fifty feet away in the crowded arrivals area of the Rochester airport.
"Hi, Mom!" Elizabeth gave her a hug and then her Dad as well. "It's good to see you both."
"Now, tell me about this Jack fellow your Dad mentioned." Grace began. "Is he handsome?"
"Grace," William said, rolling his eyes. "Do we really need to do this?"
"Oh, shush now, honey. We are having some girl talk now." Grace slipped her arm through Elizabeth's and walked off to get their bags.
"Yes, Mom." Elizabeth laughed. "He's handsome and just...wonderful. More importantly, he's good to Levi and Levi really loves him too."
"Where is my grandson?" William asked.
"School. Jack's going to pick him up after practice and bring him home."
"Are you two cohabitating or something?" William asked, a shocked look on his face.
"No, Dad," she laughed. "We just spend a lot of time together, that's all."
"That's all, she says," William repeated.
"Hush, William. Beth has always made good choices. Just let her be."
"He's good to you?" William asked. His tone was stern, very fatherly.
"He is. You'll see, Dad."
Later that evening, Elizabeth stood in her kitchen making all the fixings for a yummy taco bar with her mom. Her dad kept a vigilant watch by the large front window for Jack and Levi. His protectiveness for his family was at full power mode.
Elizabeth walked briefly into the hallway, watching her father.
"He'll be nice tonight, right?" Elizabeth said to her mom as she made her way back to the kitchen, "Jack's…"
"Wonderful, you mentioned," Grace laughed. "Don't worry. He knows what I expect of him."
"Oh," she laughed. "Sounds good then."
Jack and Levi walked in a few minutes later. Levi ran to William, his little hands signing away to tell his grandfather how much he had missed him.
Jack's eyes met Elizabeth's and they both smiled. Then he walked over to William when Levi ran to see Grace.
"Hello, sir, I'm Jack Thornton." He offered his hand to shake, thankful when William accepted.
"William Thatcher."
"I'm sure I don't need to tell you this, but you have an amazing daughter and grandson."
"You're right, you don't need to tell me but I'm glad you've noticed."
Unsure of where her husband would take the conversation next, Grace stepped in. She signed as she talked since Levi was with her.
"Jack, I'm Grace. It's so nice to meet you!"
"You as well. Liz has told me so much about you and your family."
"Liz?" William laughed. "Beth, don't you hate that nickname?"
"Not when he says it. His mom and brother call me Lizzie, It's actually kind of sweet."
After dinner, Jack and William cleared the table and filled the dishwasher before sitting back down at the table with Elizabeth and Grace. Elizabeth made tea for everyone and had made a hot apple crisp with apples from the Thornton's orchard. While the adults talked, Levi went upstairs to take a shower.
"Mr. Thatcher, Liz tells me you're a pretty talented surgeon."
"I guess so. Seems a bit pompous to agree with, but I am good at what I do."
"So good that he won't retire," Grace sassed.
"I will, just not yet. My hospital is like my family. As the chief, I can't bring myself to leave until I know it and all the people there will be in good hands."
"I can understand that," Jack said, taking Elizabeth's hand and giving it a squeeze.
Levi slumped into the room in his Spiderman pjs and damp hair that made his curly mop appear much longer than usual. Without a word, he crawled up into Jack's lap for a snuggle.
William watched as Jack fully embraced the boy and kissed his head.
"I think he's tired," Elizabeth spoke and signed, just in case Levi was paying attention.
"No I'm not," he signed with a grumpy, half asleep face.
Jack turned Levi's body so he could sign for him. "Want to read the next chapter of How to Train Your Dragon?"
"Yes," he answered with a yawn. "We read two?"
"I guess two is okay. Say goodnight to everyone first."
Once they were out of the room, William leaned closer to Elizabeth. "He does bedtime with him? Already?"
"He has for a long time, Dad. It's Levi's favorite time with Jack."
"You know I don't want to ever tell you how to live your life, but isn't this moving too fast, Beth? How well do you know him?"
"I know him very well, Dad. Yes, the time we've had together hasn't been long but we know each other. And before you even think about comparing this relationship, or him for that matter, to Charles, know that the depth of what I feel for Jack is so much more than I ever had with Charles."
Grace chuckled under her breath. "I think she just told you!" she sassed.
"Forgive me, Beth. I want you and Levi to be happy, and Jack certainly seems to have that effect on you both. From all I can see, he's a very good man."
"Then why do I get the feeling that you don't like him?"
"I do like him. Even more, I believe I respect him. I just… I guess I need to get to know him. I wasn't prepared to be meeting a future son-in-law. I had him pegged as a casual relationship, but now we're here and he's putting Levi to bed like a father. Don't even get me started on those stolen glances I've been catching between you two all night."
"You're right, you do need to get to know him, but please, let us get to where we're going in our time." Hearing her father use the term, son-in-law was making everything feel even more real. It was exciting, but on the other hand, terrifying.
….
Elizabeth's parents went to bed not long after Levi. Their trip from Florida to New York had been more exhausting than they'd figured.
After they were settled in the guest room, Jack and Elizabeth curled up together into their usual spot on the couch.
"So how bad is it? Do they think you're crazy for being with me?" Jack asked, giving her temple a kiss.
"My mom adores you. She even said you're quite handsome."
"That's nice, I think. Your dad though, what about him?" She fell silent. "I figured."
"He's fine. He just didn't expect me to be in a serious relationship, I guess. I've always been pretty independent, especially over the past couple years."
"What should I do to earn his trust?"
"You don't need to worry about that. You have mine, that's all you need."
She wrapped her arms around his neck as he pulled her up in his lap, facing him.
"I love you," Jack whispered. "I don't deserve you, but I'll try."
Instead of using words, she kissed him. Slowly at first, letting the heat rise between them till they neared their melting point. When they eventually pulled apart, Jack laid his head back and groaned.
"I don't want to leave," he said out of breath. "But I should."
"I know. See you at the basketball game tomorrow?"
"If you're sure your parents won't mind."
"I want you there. More importantly, so does Levi."
"Then I'll be there."
Carefully, Elizabeth rose to her feet and walked Jack to the door.
"I love you, Jack."
"I love you. Sweet dreams, Liz."
…..
Levi's game was right after school the next day. Jack stood on the edge of the court yelling and jumping up and down, even though he was fully aware that the kids couldn't hear him. He would sign as well, but tended to be too excited for that.
He was so proud of Levi. The little guy had already scored twice and was great at running while dribbling the basketball. Something that just a month ago wasn't easy.
Whenever Levi scored, Jack, like others, would throw his hands up in the air and give them a little shake, the ASL way of clapping.
Elizabeth watched with William and Grace in the bleachers.
"He's so good," Grace said, sounding impressed.
"Jack works with him a lot after dinner."
"You've got a good guy there, Beth," Grace said with a nudge.
"I know. How did I get so lucky?"
"You deserve it, sweetheart."
"Thanks, Mom." Elizabeth turned her focus back to the game and the handsome man making a raving goofball of himself.
After the game, Jack made his way up the bleachers to join Elizabeth and her family.
"Jack, my boy," William said with a chuckle. "You should be a coach the way you run around out there."
Jack shrugged, "I guess I do get into it a lot. I just love seeing him so happy."
As soon as he was dismissed from the team, Levi rushed over to his adoring family of fans. Elizabeth waved her hands excitedly and then signed, "Great job!" to her son. He jumped up, enveloping her in a great big bear hug.
"Best game ever!" Levi signed before giving a hug to Grace and high-fives to Jack and William.
"Anyone hungry?" William signed. "Your mom says you have a favorite restaurant in the city?"
"Dinosaur BBQ!" Levi danced about. "Jack, you come too?"
Jack knelt down to his level signing as he talked. "I can't tonight, bud. I need to go back to work. Tomorrow's the big event at the orchard, remember?"
"Stay please?" he signed with a pout.
"I'm really sorry. We'll spend tomorrow together okay?"
"You're not working tomorrow?"
"Some, yes. Maybe you can even help me a little. What do you say?"
Seeing her son hold his pouting face, Elizabeth tapped his shoulder. "Love, can you thank Jack for coming to your game?"
He nodded and gave Jack a hug. Using his voice he said, "Thank you. Love you."
Looking him in the eyes Jack signed, "I love you too. Have fun with your grandparents, okay?"
"Okay."
Grace and William took Levi to get his things from the hallway. Giving Jack and Elizabeth a couple minutes alone as she walked him to his truck.
"I feel horrible," Jack began. "Like I let him down just now."
"It's okay, Jack. It's good for him to see that you honor your responsibilities. He looks up to you so much."
"I think that's why it was hard. I want to give him everything."
"Ah, but you see, if he gets everything, that's what he will expect no matter what. That's not realistic or healthy."
"True. I'll remember that."
As they reached his truck, Jack's arms wrapped around her waist, with a hand slipping slightly under the hem of her sweater. "Tomorrow when you get to the orchard, call or text me and I'll come to you."
"I don't want to be a bother tomorrow."
"You couldn't be." He kissed her lips tenderly. "I want to share tomorrow with you and Levi, alright? It's important to me."
"I'll call you when we're on our way then."
"Thank you." His lips brushed against hers twice before he gave in and gave her the kind of kiss he'd wanted to give her all afternoon. Jack grinned madly as he pulled back to look her in the eyes. "That might tide us over till later."
"Yeah," she blushed. "That should do it. If you have time tonight do you think we can maybe talk?"
"I'll call when I get home, as long as it's not too late."
"Late's fine too."
Jack laughed. "We're getting very attached to each other, aren't we?"
"Seems like it, yeah. Is it scaring you?"
"Nope. I'm good. You?"
"I'm good too. See you later, babe."
"Talk to you soon." With his hand on the door handle of his truck, he watched her walk away. "Hey Liz, one more thing."
She turned with a laugh and hurried back to him. "Yes?"
"I want to take you out on a date. A really nice one, just me and you."
"I see," she flirted, stepping right into his space. "And what would that entail?"
"Me dressing in something other than my carhartts for a start." They laughed together. "There's a company that does a dinner cruise on the lake. I've never gone, but I've heard great things. Do you get seasick much?"
"Nope, and I think I like this idea. Though I may need to go buy a new dress."
Jack kissed her lips. "Don't worry about it. You look good in anything."
"Oh, I'm not worried, but buying a new dress with you in mind sounds immensely fun right now."
"Then by all means, go shopping," he laughed. "I'll talk to Tom and see if he can watch Levi. Maybe he and Ryan can have another sleepover."
"I'm sure neither Levi or Ryan will have any complaints about that."
"Beth?" William called from across the parking lot. "Levi says to tell you that he is very hungry."
"Coming!" She turned back to Jack. "One more kiss for the road?"
"Um, sure but just so you know, your father is still watching us."
She giggled mischievously. "Then for his sake, he better look away."
