Levi was up before everyone else in the house Saturday morning. He rushed into Elizabeth's bedroom and pounced on her bed like a monkey from a tree.

"Ahh! Levi!" She sat up, completely startled.

"You look funny," Levi signed, gesturing to her hair.

"You should see you," she signed back with a smile. "It's 6:30, why are you awake?"

"I want to see Jack."

"Jack's not awake yet."

"Yes he is. He says he's always up early. So we go?"

"No. Breakfast first."

The next couple of hours dragged on as Levi waited impatiently for them to all shower and dress to leave for the festival. When he was finally given the go ahead to get in the car, he ran out the door with his untied shoelaces flapping in the wind.

"Someone's in a hurry," William teased.

"You have no idea," Elizabeth laughed. "I'm kind of itching to get there too."

"I heard you up late last night talking," Grace said. "I assume it was Jack on the other side of that phone call?"

"It was," she blushed. "Sorry if I kept you awake."

"Not at all. You two talk often in the evenings?"

"We talk a lot, actually. He's here when he can be and when he can't, we talk at night. Nothing earth shattering usually. Just how the day went, making plans for when we can. He Likes to know how Levi is doing too."

"That's good, Communication is very important."

"That is something we both agree on," she smiled.

"Go time!" Levi yelled from the back seat. Elizabeth turned back around and gave him the sign to stop, two hands, one palm up with the other palm facing the left coming together hard. If that wasn't enough, she wore her stern mama face.

"Sorry," he signed, biting his lip.

Elizabeth pulled out her phone to send a quick text to Jack before pulling out of the driveway.

"We're on our way."

"Looking forward to it." He responded quickly. Apparently, Elizabeth and Levi weren't the only ones trying to wait patiently this morning.

By the time they arrived, the orchard was already filling up. Parking attendants lined up the incoming cars in a tight orderly fashion to make the most of the space.

"Are we late?" Levi asked William as he surveyed the scene.

"No, grandson. We're right on time. Don't worry."

"I'm not worried, I just don't want to miss anything."

They all got out and began wandering around the orchard grounds looking for Jack. Music boomed from the stage speakers from the field to the left. Not a band, but from the local country radio station covering the event.

"This is some place!" William said excitedly. "Look at that barn!"

"It's beautiful isn't it?" Elizabeth said. "It's been in their family for generations now."

"Lizzie!" Charlotte waved from a distance. She excused herself from her conversation and rushed over. "Hi, Levi!"

Levi hugged her tightly then introduced her to his grandparents.

"It's a pleasure to meet you both," Charlotte gushed. "We just love your daughter and grandson here."

"Thank you," Grace said with a warm smile. "We've had the pleasure of meeting Jack. He's a wonderful young man."

"Aw, thank you. That makes my heart smile to hear you say that." She turned to Levi, signing and speaking as usual, "You need to find Jack. He has something for you."

"For me?"

"Yes! I think he's by the donut and cider tent."

"Then that's where we'll head." Elizabeth hugged Charlotte again. "I'm sure we'll see you around today?"

"You sure will. If you see an old woman running around like a chicken with its head missing, that's me!" They all laughed. "Mr. and Mrs. Thatcher, if you don't get too bored here, please stay for dinner tonight?"

"Oh, I don't see how we can get bored with this!" William said. "In fact, after we've seen the place, if you need an extra hand just let me know."

"I just might have to take you up on that."

As they walked in the direction Charlotte had pointed out, Elizabeth felt herself getting more anxious to see Jack. It hadn't even been 24 hours and yet, her heart ached to see him. Her eyes sought him out as they went, just needing a glimpse of his handsome face.

She felt Levi pull on her hand and he started pointing. "Jack!" he signed.

Following her son's gaze, she saw him. The breath she took barely seemed to fill her lungs as she took in the sight of him. How could he look that good in a navy blue hooded sweatshirt and a pair of tan Carharts?

Her stomach fluttered as their eyes met.

Levi sprinted toward Jack and then jumped up into the man's arms.

"Hey, bud!" He carried Levi the few steps it took to reach Elizabeth, then leaned in for a kiss. "Man, I love kissing you."

"Gross!" Levi said aloud.

"I've got something for you, Levi. Want to see?" He nodded.

Jack said hi to the Thatchers and then led everyone back towards the main barn. They went inside and while Jack ran up to his office Levi took to showing his grandparents around the store and other public areas of the barn.

Seeing a free moment, Elizabeth sneaked up the stairs after Jack. Her mom noticed and gave a quiet chuckle. Yup, her daughter was madly in love.

"Finally," she whispered to herself. This was all she ever wanted for her daughter.

Upstairs, Jack was standing near his desk.

"Hey!" Jack said when he saw Elizabeth enter. He reached and pulled her into his arms as he leaned back against his desk. "You think Levi will keep your parents downstairs for a few minutes so I can kiss you properly?"

"I don't think he knows to come up here, so yes."

"Good." He grinned. "Come here, beautiful."

She slipped her arms over his shoulders and stepped even closer, standing between his knees. "I couldn't wait to see you," she whispered, her lips barely touching his. "It was driving him crazy."

"That's good to hear," he mumbled as she teased him again, wanting to taste her so much it almost caused him physical pain. "Liz…"

She smiled, leaning back slightly, her lips out of reach. "Yes, Jack?"

"You're killing me here."

"I love you," she told him, her fingertips running through the sides of his hair.

"I love you too." Finally, she stepped as close as she could and their lips met, making them both sigh with satisfaction.

There was nothing like kissing this woman, he thought as they continued, silently wishing he could do this for the rest of his life.

Their loving embrace continued until they heard the sound of little boy feet hurrying up the stairs. They stepped back, composing themselves just before Levi entered the room.

Levi looked back and forth between the two of them. "Were you kissing again?"

"Maybe?" Jack signed.

Levi shook his head. "Maybe you two should be married."

Elizabeth let out a snort and Jack just shook his head. "Here," he said with a laugh as he tossed a navy hoodie that was the little boy's size at him.

Levi held it up in front of him to get a better look. He smiled. The hoodie was a small version of the one Jack wore, completely with the Thornton Orchard logo over the heart.

"Awesome!" Levi signed.

"I have one for you too," he said to Elizabeth. "For your parents I have the more sophisticated fleece vests," Jack said with a chuckle.

Elizabeth took the hoodie off the desk and pulled it up over her head. "I love it, thank you."

"Looks perfect on you." His eyes told her everything. This was it.

Levi stomped to get their attention. "We go now?"

"Yup," Jack smiled. "Let's go have some fun."

The first half of the day was spent walking the rows of apple trees as well as the rest of the orchard grounds. Jack took care to give Elizabeth's parents a proper tour. Showing them everything from the barns, donut making and cider press, to the sugar house and maple trees. William was impressed.

"This is quite the operation, Jack," William encouraged. "Has it always been this enterprising?"

"Not entirely. We've added a couple hundred acres and the maple sugaring all within in the last decade."

"Any more expansion plans in the works?"

"Nothing at the moment, but we have room to grow should inspiration strike."

Jack wrapped his arm around Elizabeth. "Do you have any thoughts?"

"I don't know, this isn't my business."

"I respect your opinion and you've had great vision for my house. Really, if ever something comes to mind, tell me."

"Alright," she smiled. "I will."

Grace hung back a bit as they headed back to the main event area. Elizabeth noticed and slowed down to walk with her. She looped her arm through hers.

"Whatcha thinking?" Elzabeth said with a slight hip nudge.

"This place is beautiful. Do you and Jack ever just walk the rows of trees?"

"Actually, we have. It's so gorgeous when the sun is setting. You know, the lake is just a little way to the north here. Their property goes all the way to it."

"Is that where Jack's house is?"

"It is. He talks about it as if it's some little cabin but it's not."

"No?"

"Not at all, though that may have been how it started. It's a three bedroom house with so much craftsmanship. Most of which Jack has done himself."

"Sounds like he's preparing for a family."

"You know, I'm not sure."

"No?"

"Well, he wasn't looking for anything when we met. Things changed."

"Just as you said his home plans changed."

"True, but the house plans changed before us."

"Regardless," Grace continued. "I think you and Levi come to life here. It's good."

"Thanks, Mom."

Once they caught up with the rest of the group, they made their way to the food trucks to grab some lunch. Elizabeth reclined against Jack while they ate and listened to one of the local bands play.

Levi watched closely as a young woman stood on the left side of the stage, moving to the music and singing along with the performance. Tapping Elizabeth's leg, he excitedly pointed it out to her too.

"This was the right move for you," William said. "Levi can be himself here. We tried to get more support down in Sarasota but there wasn't a demand for it, so there weren't as many interpreters."

"I get that," Jack said. "The schools here, hospitals and many stores even, they get it. Or at least they're trying. Some aren't as great but we've learned while having Ryan where the right places are and we stick to it."

Jack looked at Levi. He was fiddling with his hearing aid and trying to not get frustrated. He'd only had it a couple of weeks and wasn't at all used to it. After the biking accident, Levi's pediatrician talked to her about the possibility of Levi using a hearing aid outside of the home. The hope was that he would be able to pick up on certain noises such as car horns and whatnot. If a hearing aid worked for him, there would be a whole new list of tools to help him and even entertain him. Since the root of his deafness was still unknown, time would have to tell.

"Levi, you okay?" Jack asked. "Can you feel the music?"

"Some," he said. "But this thing is picking up a lot right now. It's giving me a headache."

"He hates that thing," Elizabeth frowned. "I'm not sure it's even working well for his level of deafness, but sometimes he can kind of hear what's going on around him."

"Does the doctor think that one day he could hear?"

"To some extent, but he will alway be considered deaf." Elizabeth noticed her mother's frown and smiled. "It's okay, Mom. He's a happy and smart little boy. He'll be okay no matter what."

"I know," Grace smiled back.

Jack stood and reached for the boy's hand. "May I?" he asked Elizabeth.

"What are you up to, Thornton?"

"Just a trick Tom showed me once."

"Alright, go for it."

Elizabeth and her parents watched as Jack took Levi all the way up to the large speakers. Jack signed for Levi to take out the hearing aids and lean in. He did, and smiled. He could "hear" the vibrations and began moving to the beat.

Jack took Levi's hand and placed it on the speaker. Levi laughed. It was even clearer for him now.

When the music set was over, Jack had Levi reluctantly put his hearing aids back in as they rejoined the family.

"Mom, do I have to wear these?" he asked as he sat in front of her.

"While we're here. I'll call the doctor on Monday and see what we can do. Maybe he can make an adjustment."

"Okay," he sighed.

…..

Some time after lunch, Jack excused himself from the group. The Thornton Brothers Band was up next on the stage.

Elizabeth and her family sat on the blanket in the grass in front of the stage waiting for the next set to begin.

Charlotte and Ryan came over to join them, carrying orders of poutine, a Canadian inspired treat, from one of the food trucks.

"If you've never had this, you're gonna love it. Trust me."

She handed an order to Elizabeth's parents while keeping the last for herself and Elizabeth. Ryan and Levi sat next to each other and immediately began devouring it.

"Goodness, Charlotte!" Grace laughed. "This is sinfully good!"

"Isn't it? When my boys were young they'd have me make it for them on their birthdays. What am I saying? They still do!"

"I think I may need to hop on the treadmill tonight," Elizabeth smirked, putting another gravy and cheese covered fry in her mouth.

"Hey, Ms. Thatcher!" A young girl called from nearby.

"Ally! So good to see you!" Elizabeth stood and went to greet her student. "Are you having fun?"

"So far, yeah. We just grabbed a bunch of apples for home and had the orchard make some cider out of it too. Have you had their cider? It's awesome!"

"I have a number of times now, it is very tasty." Jack brought fresh cider most of the times they'd do dinner together. The yummy juice had become a staple in their home now.

"Well, look who it is." Nate, Ally's uncle smiled as he approached. "Hi, Elizabeth."

"Hi," Elizabeth smiled politely. "What a great afternoon, huh?"

"Yeah it is. It's good to see you, out of school and all."

Charlotte stood from her spot on the blanket and headed over towards them. She noticed an odd almost flirtatious smile on Nate's face.

"Hey there, Nathan! Are you all ready to play?"

"Yes ma'am. Great event as always."

"Why thank you!"

"You know each other?" Elizabeth asked.

"Nathan here served with Jack."

"Seems like a whole other life ago now." Nate put a hand on Ally's shoulder.

"Uncle Nate left the army when my mom died and he became my guardian."

"That was a wonderful sacrifice. I'm sure you've been a blessing to him."

"Maybe," the girl laughed. "I can be a pain sometimes."

"Maybe, but I love you too much to stew over it," Nathan kissed her head. "Elizabeth, how do you know the Thornton's?"

"Lizzie here is with Jack!" Charlotte beamed. "We love her dearly."

"Oh wow. You're Jack's Liz. I… yeah. I didn't know. Jack's great."

"I think so," Elizabeth smiled. "My son, Levi is sitting over there with my parents and Ryan."

Nate looked back and smiled. "Wow, look at the hair," he laughed. "Guess he gets that and his smile from you."

Instead of correcting him by saying Levin was adopted, she just replied that her son was the light of her little world.

Still acting a bit flustered, Nate excused himself to go join the band. Charlotte suggested Ally watch the show with her and the Thatchers. The social young girl agreed and hurried over to introduce herself for Elizabeth's parents and Levi. Her signing wasn't as polished, but she could follow and carry on a conversation well enough with the boys.

"I think I may have burst that poor man's bubble," Charlotte said with a laugh. "Nate seemed to fancy you a bit."

"That's what I've wondered," Elizabeth sighed. They were still out of earshot from the others. "He's come to school a few times to talk about Ally. Seems sweet but always flustered. I wanted to set the record straight but if I was wrong, I didn't want to embarrass either of us."

"Good call. He's a sweet man. I've offered to fix him up with some of the young ladies from church but he wasn't terribly interested. Ally is a full time job."

"Being a single parent is hard. Ally's wonderful though, so he's doing something right."

Rosie wandered around the crowd looking for a familiar face. Before she saw them, Levi saw her. He ran over to her and gave her a big hug.

"Hi, Aunt Rosie!"

"Why hello, my handsome little man!"

They joined the rest of the group just as Christa took the stage to announce the Thornton Brothers Band.

The crowd erupted with loud cheers and applause.

"This is hilarious," Rosie said to Elizabeth. "I kind of feel like a groupie, dating the drummer and all."

"I know what you mean," she laughed.

"How's everyone doing today?" Tom smiled brightly as he addressed the crowd. "On behalf of my family, thank you for coming out today! What a great community, huh?" Everyone cheered. "Let's go!"

With that the boys began playing a classic country song, Wagon Wheel. It was a crowd pleaser. Many people sang along with Tom and a few even stood up to dance.

Jack did a guitar solo just before the bridge of the song. Elizabeth couldn't help it, she threw her head back and laughed as the females in the crowd screamed and rushed the stage.

When they finished the first song, Jack took the lead mike. "Ya'll ready to dance?" The ladies cheered, waving their hands in the air to get his attention. It didn't work. He only had eyes for one woman, and she was smiling away with her big blue eyes. He was so in love.

Jack, Tom and Lee, clapped their hands up in the air at the start of the next song, "She's With Me," by High Valley. Tom and Jack sang the words together as they played. The field was rocking.

The pace of music slowed down for the next number. Tom stood back from the mike as Jack got ready to sing lead alone this time.

"Hey, gentleman," Jack began. "You know what it's like when you've got that special someone? How sometimes, just being around them gives a song new meaning?" The crowd cheered. "Yeah, me too." He winked at Elizabeth.

From her spot in the crowd, she blew him a kiss as he started to sing, his heart out on his sleeve.

"If ever I get lost in your eyes tonight

Please just let me stay right there a little bit longer

Underneath the stars, we are on fire

And I don't wanna go if you don't wanna go

We can just stay here in this minute

Lose all track of time

Let the world spin on without us for a while

I'm telling you, we're just one kiss away from heaven

So baby, hold on tight

'Cause I want to get wrapped up in your love

So baby, let's just stay here tonight

Tonight

I just wanna linger like this on your lips

And taste the salt air on your skin

Hold you in my hands

Anything and everything, you know that I'm all in

We can just stay here in this minute

Lose all track of time

Let the world spin on without us for a while

I'm telling you, we're just one kiss away from heaven

So baby, hold on tight

'Cause I want to get wrapped up in your love

So baby, let's just stay here tonight, tonight

Baby, let's just stay here tonight, tonight, tonight, tonight, yeah"

William looked over at his wife with a little smirk. "How long do you think before he proposes?"

"Let's not rush them," she laughed. "But soon I hope. I like him!"

'Cause I don't wanna go if you don't wanna go

We can just stay here in this minute

Lose all track of time

Let the world spin on without us for a while

I'm telling you, we're just one kiss away from heaven

So baby, hold on tight

'Cause I want to get wrapped up in your love

So baby, let's just stay here tonight, tonight, tonight

Baby, let's just stay here tonight, tonight, tonight, tonight."

The band played a few more covers. More upbeat too, which caused the boys to run up closer to the large speakers to feel the vibrations. They were in heaven. The rest of the songs were all of the "love" variety. Jack led them with help from Lee. Tom just kicked back and played guitar. Every word from Jack's lips were sung as if they were sung only for Elizabeth. It made every woman there swoon and every guy wished he played guitar.

By evening, the orchard's activity slowed down to nothing. Leaving the Thornton family to their guests for dinner and bonfire. Rosie and Lee stayed as well as the rest of the band. Elizabeth's parents and Charlotte hit it off like old friends, and enjoyed spending hours talking as they ate and roasted s'mores.

Elizabeth smiled at everyone around the fire, as she sat on Jack's lap. This life she had here now was better than anything she had dreamed. The future ahead seemed bright, and full of love and blessings.

"Hey," Jack said, giving her a nudge. "What are you thinking about?"

"How happy I am."

"Great," he smiled. "I like that you're happy here."

"Did you have fun today?"

"I did. Having you and Levi here with me was probably the best part, but I did enjoy playing in the band again."

"That's good. I loved your songs," Elizabeth told him, leaning closer.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. There's something about knowing the man I love is feeling the same about me… and wanting the world to know."

She leaned into him and kissed him, holding back a bit because of all who were around them.

"I love you so much, Liz. Thanks for being here today."

Levi dragged his tired little body over to them, rubbing his eyes. Elizabeth moved to sit next to Jack. Leaving room for Levi on Jack's lap.

Holding the boy close, Jack kissed his head. Then he wrapped his free arm around Elizabeth.

"This is a moment I'm gonna remember for a long time," Jack smiled. "A very long time."

"Me too," she whispered. "Jack, I love this. Us together."

"Yeah, it's almost perfect."

Across the fire, Tom watched Jack and Elizabeth. They were like a family. He was thrilled for his brother, but seeing this made Tom want to have that kind of love again. For Ryan to have and feel a mother's love. Something that he'd never gotten a chance to have.

Looking into the dancing flames, Tom let his mind wander to all the many fire nights he had shared with his wife. She'd taught him how to love, and now, he felt her telling him to try for it again.

"You alright?" Charlotte asked softly. Seeing tears in the corner of her youngest's eyes.

"I think… I think it's time I move forward. Not moving on. That implies forgetting. It's just time, I guess."

"I'm proud of you. Truly."

"Thanks."