The rest of their morning was spent in bed, celebrating their engagement and new found closeness. Laying against Jack's chest, Elizabeth ran her fingers over his skin, stopping when she felt one of the visible scars Jack carried from his time as a soldier. There was a cluster of them on his lower right side.
"You know you can ask me anything," Jack said giving her head a kiss.
She shook her head and pulled her fingers away from the scars.
"I don't want to upset you."
"You won't," he smiled. "Liz, you're going to be my wife. You are my love. Nothing is off limits for you."
"Alright." Elizabeth relaxed her head back on his shoulder and again placed her fingers on the scars. "What caused this?"
"Those were from my second to last tour. Shrapnel from a roadside bomb. I was lucky, it wasn't life threatening but it hurt so bad. I pulled some of the bigger pieces out myself."
"Ouch! Why did you do that?"
Jack shrugged, "They were interfering with the job I needed to do at the time."
"You were insane," she giggled.
"I was a soldier. Insane kind of goes with the job," he grinned back.
"What about… well, I thought I felt ones on your back when we were… you know."
"Making love?"
"Jack!" She blushed. He just laughed.
"Sweetie, we've been together three times in the past 12 hours. I think you can do a little better than to call it, "you know."
Playfully she took a swing at him but he caught it. Then pulling her closer, he kissed her deeply.
"You're so cute when you're embarrassed."
"Funny," she laughed. "Now I don't remember what we were talking about."
"Oh, are my kisses that good? They can make you forget things?" Elizabeth rolled her eyes. "I think you were asking about the scars on my back. The ones that are like these two on my shoulder?"
She ran her fingers over the marks where he'd pointed.
"Yeah, they're not gunshots, are they?"
"No. I do have one of those on my thigh, but that's the last of them. These here are burns."
"Burns…"
"Yeah." Hesitantly he continued. "They're um, electrical burns."
Jack was silent for a while, Elizabeth just laid there holding him. Giving him the time he needed.
"Its from the last mission, on my last deployment. We were ambushed and some of us were captured. There was some… some tourture."
"Oh…" She turned her face, kissing the scars, trying to hold back her tears. The very thought of Jack having to go through anything like he did, hurt her deeply. "I'm so grateful you always made it home. I can't imagine my life without you, Jack."
"Same here. Luckily for us, the most dangerous part of my life is behind me. I'm just a simple apple farmer now," he said with a grin.
"Have you talked to your mom or Tom about all this?"
Jack shook his head. "Just you, Bill and Henry."
"I don't want to overstep but… should you?"
With a heavy sigh he hugged her tight. Before she came into his life he could just pretend it was behind him. Her presence made him have to face it. As much as he wanted to avoid it, this was best, and he would tell his story a million times if it meant keeping this beautiful woman in his life.
"Will you be with me when I do?"
"Of course." She kissed his lips softly. "On a cheerier note, we need to tell Levi and the rest of the family that we're engaged!"
"Can we tell Levi first? Just the three of us? We can have our own private celebration and then tell everyone else."
"I love that. We need to tell him quickly though. He notices everything! I'm sure he'll spot this ring not long after he sees me."
"Good point. Let's tell him tonight and we can tell my family at Sunday dinner?"
"Perfect! And I'll call my family sometime tomorrow."
After a few more kisses, Jack said, "You know, one of the first things Levi will ask is when we're gonna get this done."
"You're probably right. Should we do a fall wedding?"
"Fall as in now or as in a year from now?"
"Nevermind… that seems like a long time."
"Good girl," Jack laughed. "What about the spring?"
"I can get behind that," she flirted. "So tell me, was this your proposal plan all along?"
"Well…" he laughed. "The plan was to propose over dessert last night. The ring was kind of… in the brownie."
"Jack! What if I had choked?"
"No, not the ring only! It was in the box. Why do you think I gave you such a big piece?"
She threw her head back and laughed. "Oh man, what a story to tell."
….
In the warm afternoon sun, Charlotte sat out on the porch of the house enjoying her third cup of coffee. Last night when she'd stepped out of shower and headed to the kitchen for her evening tea, Tom had been waiting at the kitchen table. He stood as soon as she entered.
"Why do you look like you've been caught with your hand in the cookie jar?" she'd teased.
Then, just as he'd done as a young man, he spilled his guilty beans all out. Thankfully for Tom, Charlotte had liked all she'd read and heard about Fiona, so chances were this wouldn't be a disaster. The thing she couldn't figure out was, why was Tom so eager to hire this woman?
A branch cracking off in the distance caused her to look up. Jack was walking the path from his home.
"Afternoon, son," Charlotte said, rising from her seat. "You two had a good evening last night?"
"The best," he grinned.
"Want to talk about it?"
"Not a chance," he laughed. "How was Levi last night?"
"Oh, he was a perfect angel as always." Charlotte said in delight. "Your brother on the other hand…"
"Oh boy." Jack groaned. "Please tell me he didn't teach the boys something dangerous?"
"No no, nothing like that. He interviewed Fiona without me last night and hired her!"
"You're kidding?" Jack said, confused. "That doesn't sound like him."
"I guess her daughter had a horrible ear infection so she messaged me while I was in the shower to reschedule."
"But instead of rescheduling he interviewed her?"
"And hired her, yes."
"Well, Liz will be happy. You okay with it?"
"I trust your brother, it just seemed strange that's all." She shrugged. "Where's Lizzie? Everything okay?"
"Everything's perfect. I asked to grab Levi so we could have some guy time, that's all."
"You're a good man, Jack. That boy adores you."
"The feeling is very mutual."
The front door to the house opened and Levi ran out smiling. Jack held open his arms for the boy to run into, giving him a big bear hug.
"Where's Mom?"
"At the house. She wanted us to have dinner together tonight. That okay?"
"Awesome!" He practically bounced. "I'll get my stuff."
When he'd disappeared back into the house, Charlotte asked, "So, together all night and still together for dinner? Should I be reserving a church soon for you two?"
"Mom," Jack warned. "Let us be, okay? I'm happy."
"I'm happy you're happy. Just… make sure you're thinking every move you make thoroughly. That boy has dreams in his head about the future and is watching you like a hawk."
"I know. I've got it all under control."
Levi struggled out the door with his backpack and sleeping bag. He had an extra bag since he'd come here straight from school. Jack met him at the porch steps, taking most of the load.
"Did you thank Tom?" Jack asked.
Levi nodded and ran to Charlotte to give her a hug. "Thank you!"
"You are welcome, love! See you soon."
As she watched them disappear into the woods, Charlotte shook her head. "That boy better put a ring on Lizzie's finger fast."
….
Elizabeth was in the kitchen at Jack's making Levi's favorite meatballs for dinner. She loved this kitchen. It was an open concept into the dinning room and new. The kind of kitchen a chef would love. As the light from the fall sun outside shined on her ring she realized, this would be her kitchen too. She closed her eyes and smiled, letting that fact sink in a little more.
Her phone buzzed on the counter. With meaty hands, she accepted the call and put it on speaker with her pinky, her only clean digit.
"Hey Fi! How's it going? How was the interview last night?"
"I've got one word for you. Weird."
"Weird? How so?" Elizabeth wasn't sure what Fiona meant. Sure, Charlotte could be a bit eccentric but really, she was a hoot.
"Well, I got the job."
"Yay!"
"But I never met Charlotte. Her son, Tom, ended up interviewing me. It was the weirdest interview I'd ever had! It was like… personal."
"Tom? Personal?"
"Yeah."
They talked for a little longer about the whole ordeal the night before and making arrangements for Fiona and Emma to come up from Florida. No where in there did Elizabeth mention the new bling on her finger. That would wait till they were face to face. Elizabeth couldn't wait to see the look on her friend's face.
"I'm gonna ask you one more time, then I should go," Fiona said. "Are you sure Emma and I won't cramp your style with your hunky farmer boyfriend?"
"Of course not! Just get up here!"
"Alright, alright," she laughed. "We will see you by the end of the week. I'll keep you posted on our ETA."
"Perfect. Miss you, Fi."
"Miss you too! Say hi to Levi for me."
Elizabeth hung up just in time to see her boys coming through the clearing in the woods. Levi was bouncing about, practically walking backwards as he signed to Jack. The patient man just smiled and looked down lovingly at him.
"Mom!" Levi called out when he entered through the back door off the kitchen. "Hug!"
Elizabeth wiped her hands and rushed to hug her little man.
"Did you have fun?" she asked.
"Tons! Jack said we're eating dinner together?"
"Yes! We have something to celebrate."
Levi looked over his shoulder at Jack, who was watching, petting the hyper pup that was running around his feet. Jack nodded for Levi to turn to face Elizabeth.
"What are we celebrating? Is it a birthday?"
"Nope," Elizabeth grinned. With happy tears in her eyes, she held up her left hand for Levi to see. His jaw dropped.
"For real?" his hand moved with exaggeration.
Jack moved to stand next to Elizabeth and signed, "For real, and forever."
The look of pure joy on Levi's face made it clear that he was on board. He leapt into Jack's arms and hugged his neck tight.
"Daddy," he whispered.
Jack looked up at Elizabeth to see if she'd heard it too. She had tears in her eyes.
The rest of the evening was filled with lots of laughter and planning. Levi had a million ideas for the room that would be his. He wanted three navy blue walls and one painted with chalkboard paint. He also wasted no time asking for a baby brother.
Jack just about fell out of his seat in the living room with laughter. Elizabeth on the other hand turned bright red. She was sitting on the floor playing Mastermind with Levi.
"We'll see, Levi," she said with a smile.
"Why? Do you not know how to make one?"
That did it. Jack was now on his hands and knees laughing his heart out.
"It's okay, bud," Jack said, composing himself. "Mom knows where babies come from. Don't worry."
"Good!" Levi scratched his head. "Is it something you have to do? Do you have to practice?"
"Im out!" Elizabeth said rising from the floor. "You're up, Daddy."
….
Fiona sat at the foot of her bed and sighed. She was really doing this, moving a thousand miles away to a new state, new job. For a brief moment she considered herself crazy.
"I can do this," she whispered to herself, trying not to wake her daughter who'd fallen asleep in her bed. "It's time."
She didn't own much, so the packing job, which she'd started last night, was almost done and she wasn't bringing much furniture. Still, there was a stabbing pain in her heart at the thought of leaving this place. The last place she'd shared with her late husband. The place she'd brought Emma home to from the hospital.
"No, no more dwelling and crying. We need a change, and I need a social life that includes more than my daughter and PJ Masks."
Tomorrow they'd say goodbye to the few friends still in the area and then start north. After stopping to see her parents and Lucas', they'd head for Rochester.
….
Levi snored away on the floor next to Ranger, an empty bowl of popcorn on the other side. It was well past his bedtime but he looked so cute there that Elizabeth didn't have the heart to wake him. She also wasn't ready to leave Jack.
"I think you should stay," Jack whispered, kissing her cheek as she reclined with him on the couch.
"Are you referring to tonight or in general?" she said with a small laugh.
"In general. I don't like having to say goodbye every night. Now, after being with you, I have no desire to sleep alone."
"I do kind of like the sound of that, but I can't."
"No?"
She shook her head and turned on the couch to face him.
"Fiona's coming and I promised she could stay with us while she looks for a place."
"Maybe they could stay here? I have room."
"This is a huge house, you're right, but the downstairs isn't fully finished right?" With a sigh, he nodded. She was right. "Can I ask you a question?"
"Of course."
"Why is the house so big? I mean, it's just you and until you met Levi and I, you weren't really looking for a relationship or family right?"
"True, I wasn't."
"But this beautiful home wasn't built with family in mind?"
"Not really, kind of though." He chuckled when he noticed the confusion on her face. "When I decided to settle and live here on this land, I had it in mind to build a small cabin. Something fit for a grumpy bachelor. My mom hated it. She was also on me about what would happen if I got married and had a family."
"I can so see her doing that," she giggled.
"Yeah. So I adjusted my plans just to get her to relax. The more I built though, the more I realized how fun it was. I figured when it was complete I'd use it as a rental. It being right on the water and all, it was bound to be popular. Then I'd build my little cabin on another plot of the land."
"And now?"
"Now it's our home. Not for sale or rent. The upstairs master will be for us. Nice and private."
"Privacy is good," she said, a little flirtation in her soft voice.
"The downstairs rooms will be perfect for the kids. Levi has already picked out his and I think we can keep the smaller of the three for us as an office until we need it. The other can be made into a nursery. Or I can spend the week finishing them for Fiona and Emma so you can move in."
She threw her head back and laughed. "I love you, Jack, and I can't wait to live with you."
"Just not now?" His words were slow.
"No. Not now."
He huffed out a sigh then said, "May I ask why?"
"I mean, spring will come fast. I just don't want you to regret anything."
"Liz, I wouldn't have proposed unless I was sure without a doubt that it was what I wanted. Are you unsure?"
"No, I just… I don't want to rush the transition for Levi, and we have a plan right now with Fiona and Emma. She's gone through so much. Let's just put this conversation on hold till they've settled, okay?"
Jack nodded, then leaned back, creating a little distance between them.
"Are you mad?"
He reached for her and pulled her back to him. Then he kissed her, deep and long.
"No, babe. I'm not mad. Nervous, but not mad. Just promise me, if you have any doubts, you'll talk to me about them. No secrets."
"I promise."
Jack had a feeling there was more to this than she said. It probably involved her old boyfriend, Charles. As much as he wanted to press the issue, he knew better. Elizabeth had been so patient with him as he worked through his past. He wasn't about to be the jerk that couldn't reciprocate that grace.
"Jack?"
"Yeah?"
"I love you."
"I love you, too."
…..
Sunday's family dinner at the Thorntons was one for the memory books. As Jack and Elizabeth expected, Levi let out their news the moment he walked into the house.
"Finally!" Charlotte cried out.
"What do you mean finally, Mom?" Jack laughed. "We met late August!"
"Seems much longer to me," Charlotte chuckled. "Welcome to the family, Lizzie!"
"Congrats, man." Tom hugged his brother. "I can't imagine a better match for you."
"Thanks, Tom. Think I'm ready to be a dad?"
"Honestly, Jack, you already are one. Levi thinks you hung the moon. This is good, believe me."
After checking to make sure Elizabeth and his mom were still deep in conversation he said, "And you? You mentioned you might be feeling ready to get back out there."
"Yeah," he sighed. "I don't know though. Online dating is scary, blind dating is even worse."
"Just don't close yourself off, okay?" Jack said reassuringly. "Maybe you'll feel that spark one day in the grocery store or getting takeout."
Or maybe in an online interview? Tom thought to himself. He wasn't ready to admit it to anyone, but Fiona made him feel something new. Something he couldn't shake.
After dinner Elizabeth and Levi headed home so she could call her parents. They were also thrilled, yet not surprised. Jack had reached out to William beforehand. Not so much to ask for permission, but out of respect.
Tuesday evening Charlotte, Tom and Ryan joined the little family in the school gym for Levi's basketball game. There was only one more game before the fall season ended and the winter season began.
"I have a bone to pick with you," Elizabeth said to Tom during a game timeout.
"Me? What have I done?"
"Levi tells me you introduced him to the world of ice hockey."
"Oh, yeah. I did do that," Tom laughed. "Ryan's playing. Could be fun."
"So you'll take Levi to practice at the crack of dawn?"
"I figured you could, given that you're a morning person and all."
"Bull!" With a laugh, she began tossing popcorn at him.
"Jack!" Tom whined. "Control your woman."
"Those are fighting words, brother. You're on your own."
Elizabeth pulled a piece of popcorn out of Tom's hair and declared a ceasefire. "I'll make you a deal Tommy, we can split shifts somehow."
"Deal!"
The game ended with Levi's team 12 points ahead of their rival elementary school, if there really was such a thing at this age.
Elizabeth loaded Levi and his duffle and backpack into her car then turned around to face Jack.
"Dinner at my place tonight? I've got chicken enchiladas in the crock pot. Maybe you could run home and grab Ranger and then… stay?"
"You want me to sleep over?" he asked with a grin.
"Yes. I miss you."
"We see each other everyday," Jack teased, placing his hands on her hips.
"So are you saying you don't want to spend the night?"
"I most definitely didn't say that." He leaned in giving her a kiss. "I'd be lying if I said I haven't thought about it a lot myself."
"So you'll come?"
"I'll come and stay. See you in 40 minutes."
