With the door shut to Fiona's childhood bedroom, she fell back on the full size bed. She'd been driving for the past two days and was exhausted. Her parents were down stairs with Emma, soaking up every bit of time with their granddaughter they could get while Fiona relaxed.
Problem was, she wasn't sure she could relax in this room. As she looked around at all the memories on the walls, she'd wished she'd just gotten a hotel, but that would have broken her mother's heart.
This was the cute little home on a West Virginian suburban street where she first met Lucas. The gorgeous high school sophomore that was new in town and looking to do odd jobs around the house and yard for people. He was saving up for culinary school, his dream. She'd begged her dad to hire him for something! It was summer after all, there was plenty to do around the house.
Frank Miller had hired Lucas to help him repaint the outside of the house. The job had earned Lucas the family's respect, and a first date with Fiona. The rest was history.
"I miss you so much, Luc. This life is so hard without you."
Her eyes closed and soon, she was asleep.
….
Levi was upstairs taking a bath before dinner. That left Elizabeth with some time to touch up her makeup before Jack arrived.
As she applied her lipstick, her mind mulled over the idea of moving in with Jack. She knew saying no to his offer disappointed him. She was willing to marry him, spend the night, be with him, but drew the line at sharing a home? Of course he was confused. He deserved more of an explanation than she gave him.
Levi thundered down the stairs as Elizabeth was stepping out of the downstairs bath.
"Levi, set the table please."
"Is that a suggestion?"
"Nope."
He groaned loudly but did what he was told. Once the table was set he filled a water bowl up for Ranger. He loved having a dog, even if technically Ranger belonged to Jack.
Elizabeth heard a loud truck pull in out front, so she peeked out through the window in the living room. Tom's truck was there.
"What on earth is he up to?" She slipped her jacket on and went outside. "Jack?"
He stepped out of the truck with a sheepish grin. Ranger jumped out and sat at Jack heels.
"Now before you say anything, I want you to know that it was Tom's idea."
"What am I looking at?"
"A hockey net. It will sit under the basketball hoop and Levi can practice his shots! There's another at Toms.'
"So now you're encouraging this hobby?" She laughed. "How come you said nothing about this at the game?"
"I didn't know about it. Tom called as I was leaving and said a high school buddy of his was giving him all this old gear his kids grew out of and some old nets. I guess he got the call on the way home from the game."
"I see," she laughed, trying to give him her best teacher face.
"I didn't want to be late so I just bought Tom's truck since the net was already strapped down." She just stared at him. "Are… we okay?"
"You know what this means don't you?" Jack shook his head. "My son's going to like you more than me."
Jack smirked and came close enough to hold her in his arms. "Sorry, babe, little boys always love their daddy."
After dinner, Jack insisted that he and Levi clear the table and start the dishwasher before heading outside to play hockey. It was clear to see that Jack was an amazing example for Levi. Elizabeth felt her heart about to burst at the thought of spending the rest of her life with him.
When it was time for Levi to go to bed, he begged for Jack to do the bedtime routine. Elizabeth didn't mind. Instead she took the time to make some tea and sit in her little living room and call Fiona.
"Hello?" A weak and weary voice answered.
"Oh, Fi! What's wrong? Did I wake you?"
"Yes, but it's okay. I've been asleep a while. Probably should go eat."
"What's wrong?"
"It's so strange here at my parents house. There's too many memories. I definitely made the right call not to start my life over here."
"I can't wait to see you! I want to hug you so tight!"
"I might just let you," she laughed. "Hey, what are you doing calling me now? Isn't it Levi's bedtime?"
"Jack's handling it."
"Ooo, Jack's handling it. I see!" They both giggled. "I can't wait to meet this guy."
"When do you think you'll be here tomorrow?"
"I'm planning on leaving early in the morning. Should be there after you get home from work."
"Perfect! How about grilled cheese and tomato soup?"
"With macaroni noodles?"
"Yup! Levi still loves it. What about Emma?"
"Definitely! Thank you, Elizabeth, for everything."
…
Jack awoke an hour later with Levi sleeping soundly in his arms. Ranger laid curled up at the foot of the little boy's bed.
Carefully, Jack slid his arm out from under Levi's head.
"Shhh," he said to the pup. "You stay with him. No bad dreams for my boy, you got that?"
As if he understood, the dog moved so he could lay against the boy's side.
"Good boy, Ranger," Jack whispered as he exited the room. The whole home was dark except for a sliver of light coming out of Elizabeth's slightly opened bedroom door.
"Hey there, sleepy head," Elizabeth giggled. She was reclined in her large bed under the blankets. Her hair was loose and fell down in front of her shoulders.
"Is that my shirt? When'd you get that?"
She pointed to the grey tee with a Yankees logo on the front. "This? I may have swiped it the night we got engaged. It's so soft and cozy."
"Ah, I see," he smirked, climbing into bed beside her. "I guess you can keep it, on one condition."
"What's that?"
"Marry me?"
"Deal!" They both laughed.
Jack headed into the bathroom to brush his teeth and came back out, removing his shirt and sliding under the covers.
Elizabeth kept her focus on her book, or at least made it look that way. In all truth, the sight of Jack's chest….the knowledge that he was hers, forever...was enough to stop her heart.
"What's up?" Jack asked her. He'd noticed her staring.
"I'm just happy. That's all."
Jack smirked. "How happy?"
Elizabeth leaned in. Her lips kissed his softly, holding them there until she thought he might explode, then she deepened the connection. Jack wrapped her in his arms and rolled with her so she was on her back.
"I'm very happy."
…..
Charlotte sat in her well-worn, yet comfy, armchair with a throw and a good book. The rest of the house was silent with both Tom and Ryan asleep upstairs. Truth be told it was well past her bedtime but she was feeling restless. She had a secret. A big one.
She grabbed her cell phone off the dresser by her chair and made a call.
"Yeah?" A groggy man's voice answered.
"Shoot. Are you asleep?"
"Well, I'm not now." The man laughed. "What's on your mind, Charlotte?"
"What are we doing?"
"Do you mean now? Right now you've woken me up from a restless sleep to ask me questions about something. I'm not really sure what yet."
"You're a pill, you know that, Henry?"
He laughed. "So I've been told. Do you want to talk about it?"
"It?"
"Us. You called to ask me about us, am I right?"
"So there is an us?"
"Do you want there to be?"
"Maybe."
"Alright," he laughed. "So yes, maybe there's an us. I for one would really like that, but I know we haven't officially talked about it. What with our situation being… complicated."
"Complicated is getting pulled over for speeding without your wallet. Starting up a relationship with your son's commanding officer…"
"Former commanding officer."
"My point is still the same, Henry!"
"Yes, dear."
Oh, how she missed being called "dear". She missed having a special someone who thought of her, someone that longed to be near her as she did them.
She and Henry Gowan had met a couple years back. Though they were familiar with each other before that.
When Jack returned home on emergency leave from the army and never returned to duty, Gowan had written to Charlotte expressing his deep sympathies for the tragedy at home. Having lost a child himself, he could relate to her in a way others couldn't. Sure, Meg was her daughter-in-law, but she'd watched her grow up and loved her as much as her sons. They exchanged letters or emails a few times a year.
When Henry returned back to the Rochester area after an extended stay at Walter Reed, Charlotte reached out in hopes of understanding Jack's trauma. Since he refused to discuss it, she didn't know how else to help her son. Tom's wounds were obvious after the loss of his wife, but Jack's were hidden under the sacred surface.
During their meetings, Henry would not speak for Jack. He just encouraged Charlotte to be patient. He did talk about his own experience in hope that it helped Charlotte understand her son.
In the last few months their connection changed to one of more than just friendship. It was unexpected and unplanned, but exciting.
"I think it's time we tell Jack and Tom that we've got this thing happening here between us," Henry said. "I mean, how long do you expect them to believe you're in a book club with the ladies at church?"
"It's a believable alibi."
"Really? What book are you ladies doing?"
There was a long pause.
"Okay, fine. It's a terrible alibi."
"Yup," Henry laughed.
It seemed simple. Telling her kids that she'd met someone, they became friends and now they wanted more from the relationship. The last thing she wanted to do was stomp on her late husband's memory. What if that was how the boys took this?
"I'll tell them this week. When do you see Jack again?"
"He's been coming by less and less now that he's got the dog and his own little family happening."
"Did you hear he's engaged?"
"Yes! He did come by to share that piece of news. I couldn't be happier for him."
….
Elizabeth awoke the next morning with the wonderful sensation of Jack's warm skin against hers. If she could freeze time, she would. Her whole body felt more relaxed than she could even remember being, even on her best days.
She wiggled tighter against him and was rewarded with a deep, satisfied groan from Jack.
"Good morning," she whispered, rolling over to face him. Jack's arms tightened around her slim form. "I love you."
"I love you too," Jack sighed, his eyes still closed. Enjoying the warmth from his fiancé. "I could get used to this."
"I'm pretty sure I already am." She sighed. "Now may not be the best time for this conversation but with Fiona coming later today I don't know when we'll get the chance…"
That got Jack attention. "What's up, babe?"
"When I said I wasn't ready to move in with you, I was scared. Charles and I, we did a lot of things out of order."
"I understand. You worried we're heading down the same path?"
"I know how different this relationship is. It's also a million times more important. Jack, you and Levi are my world."
"That's good, because you and Levi are mine."
"I want to make you a promise, I don't want to rush Fiona out after I promised her a home here, but when she's ready and when your house is ready, we'll move in. If you'll still have me."
Jack kissed her lips. Soft at first, then harder, hungrier. "It's a deal."
…..
A little morning delight with her fiancé left Elizabeth with little time to get herself together and to school. After making sure Levi was getting himself ready for the day she jumped in the shower.
"Babe," Jack called up as she was stepping out of the shower. "Want me to run Levi to school this morning?"
"Are you sure you have time?"
"I have more time than you," he laughed.
She came down the stairs in her robe and gave him a kiss. "Thank you, Jack. Can you make sure his hearing aids and the case are with him?"
"Can do."
With that settled, she hurried back upstairs to the bathroom. Hair and makeup would have to be a quick job for today.
With mere minutes left until the morning bell, Elizabeth hurried into the building and began taking the stairs two and a time.
"Where's the fire?" Rosie said with a giggle. She was calmly and gracefully making her way down the hall.
"I'm so late!"
"Not yet. You have…" the bell rang and Rosie laughed. "Okay, now you're late."
"Meet me at my classroom for lunch later?"
"You bet. Can't wait to hear all about what caused the whisker burn all over your face."
"Crap…" Elizabeth muttered before ducking into her classroom. "Good morning everyone! Would you please take out your journal and we'll begin?"
It took most of the first period for Elizabeth to feel like she had her head on straight. What a bizarre feeling. She had been a teacher and a single parent for years, but now with Jack in her life she was beginning to feel a bit out of sorts.
As planned, Rosie came by Elizabeth's empty classroom during their lunch period. The two friends sat at Elizabeth's desk with their salads and seltzer water, laughing.
"Did my face really look weird to you?"
"Weird, no. It did look like you had a night or morning of hot romance with your fiance."
"Both, actually."
"Both?"
"Night… and morning."
Rosie's laugh echoed through the room. "Way to go, Beth! Engagement suits you!"
"Except the fact that I was late for work."
"Eh, barely. It's new. Give it time."
"On the topic of love and relationships, how are things with Lee?"
Rosie let out an overly dramatic sigh. The kind a heroine in a romance novel would do. "He's amazing. No proposal, but that's my fault."
"Your fault? Oh my goodness, what did you do?"
"He may have eluded to the idea of proposing and I…."
"Freaked out in typical Rosie fashion?"
"Something like that… We're good now though."
"You two are unbelievable," Elizabeth laughed.
"Okay, that's fair. But I swear we're good now. We spend most of our evenings together. If he's off, we're usually at my place, and when he's working at the restaurant, I hang out there and we catch moments together when we can. I even sub for him when they have a waitress or hostess out sick."
"Hostess I can see, but waitress?"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing," Elizabeth sipped her watermelon seltzer. "I just remember a certain bubbly blonde getting fired from two restaurants in college. Once for being too opinionated and changing customers orders."
"They were being boring! I was trying to encourage them to expand their palettes."
"And another time for yelling at a customer."
"He was cheating on his wife!"
"Which was horrible, but really none of your business."
"Whatever. I'm not doing those things now!"
"That's good," she laughed. "And I'm really glad things are going well for you and Lee."
"Thanks. Hey, when does Fiona get in?"
"Tonight! I'm so excited!"
"Think Jack will watch the kids one night so we can give her a proper girls night out welcome?"
"I bet that could be arranged!" Elizabeth looked at her watch. "Back to the grind. We're studying Beowulf next period. Want to sit in?"
"Yeah, no, I'm good. The music and drama department awaits!"
"Show off," Elizabeth laughed.
"You know it!"
…..
By the time Fiona got off the highway for Elizabeth's, the word exhausted had lost all meaning. Emma had woken up extra fussy at 3 AM and couldn't go back to sleep. Instead of fighting her, Fiona packed up her little car and after giving Emma a small dose of children's Motrin, they said goodbye to her parents and headed north. They made several stops along the way to stretch their legs and have some snacks.
Because of their early departure, they arrived in Rochester before Elizabeth was even out of work. Fiona pulled into the parking lot of a playground right on the canal. It was beautiful, sereen even. A fresh blanket of snow covered the ground like a winter wonderland.
"Alright, babe," she whispered to the heavens. "I did it. This is where we live now. I think you'd like it. I'll be with Beth for a while. You'd like her too. I know you've heard me talk about her a lot since you've… since you've been gone."
Emma began to stir in the back seat. Fiona got out of the car and went to get her daughter.
"Hi, baby, want to play in the snow?" Emma clapped her hands and nodded at her mama. Fiona bundled Emma up in the new snowsuit she'd purchased just before they left Florida.
The sight of her little angel waddling in her winter getup made Fiona laugh loudly. Poor thing could barely move. Emma took a few steps then flopped backwards into the snow. She sat up and took off her glove.
"Weird, mama. It's so cold!" Emma signed.
"We'll get used to it, love. It will be fun," Fiona signed as she spoke.
"What am I supposed to do with it?" Emma picked up some snow with her gloved hand and dropped in her lap. "Can we make a snow castle?"
"Great idea!"
They played for a while longer till both were really feeling the cold. Fiona took Emma into the rest area bathroom to get in out of her snowsuit and into warm dry clothes. With two hot cocoas, they got back into the car and drove the remaining distance to Elizabeth's.
….
Elizabeth got home from work a bit earlier than usual. She was preparing a lasagna in the kitchen for their dinner when the door from the garage opened. Levi and Jack came in. Levi waved at his mom before dashing down the hall.
"Bathroom," Jack said with a shrug. "I wanted to come in and say hi before I head home."
"Are you sure you don't want to stay for dinner?" She wrapped her arms around his waist, pulling him close.
"I do, but I don't want to overwhelm Fiona. You guys enjoy some time together, okay?"
"Thank you. I will miss you though."
"Oh, trust me, I will miss all of you." Elizabeth began to laugh as Jack moved her hair out of the way to kiss her neck.
A car horn beeped three times just outside. Elizabeth jumped out of Jack's embrace and towards the door.
"I bet that's her!"
Jack grinned, she was just so happy. And distracted. Elizabeth slipped on her boots but ran out the door without her jacket.
Levi stepped into the room and shivered. "Why is the door open?" he asked.
"Let's go see who's outside," Jack answered, handing Levi his jacket.
In the driveway Elizabeth clung tightly to her friend. Both laughing and almost crying. It was clear that Fiona was more than just a friend to Elizabeth. She was like a sister.
"Let me look at you," Elizabeth said, stepping back taking in the sight of her friend. Her dark brown hair was up in a messy, but adorable, ponytail and she wore very little makeup. "Yup, as gorgeous as ever!"
"Hardly! The drive was a beast! I'm so glad we're finally here."
"Aunty!" Levi's voice cried out from the porch. He lept down and rushed Fiona. She reached for him and hugged him close, kissing his head.
"Look how handsome you got!" She signed and spoke. "And tall too!"
"I'm a hockey player, you know?"
"Hockey? What happened to basketball?"
"Finished. Now I play hockey!"
"Oh boy!" Fiona laughed.
"Yeah," Elizabeth sighed. "Hockey is just about to start. We can thank Jack for that one."
"Not me," Jack said as he joined the group. "That one was all Tom."
"Don't play innocent with me buddy," Elizabeth laughed. "I know you had a hand in this too."
"So, you're the famous Jack Thornton," Fiona said, trying to hide her amusement. She extended her hand. "Fiona Bouchard."
"It's great to meet you!" Jack denied her handshake and hugged her instead. "I'm glad you're here."
"I'm not ruining anything for you two?"
"As I'm sure Elizabeth has said, no. It's good that you're here."
Levi was in the back seat of the car unbuckling Emma from her seat. Fiona and Elizabeth were almost in tears watching as the two signed to each other. Clearly they were as close as ever, even with not being in the same place for so long. Levi helped Emma out of the car and with an arm around her in a very protective big brother sort of way, led her to Jack.
"Dad," he spoke. "Emma."
"Nice to meet you, Emma," Jack signed. "Levi, you and Mom want to show them the house? I'll bring the bags in."
"Okay!"
Elizabeth nodded, kissing Jack softly as she passed him on her way inside.
"Girl, you've been holding out on me!" Fiona whispered, nodding back towards Jack.
"I've sent pictures!"
"Pictures do not do that man justice. What a dish!"
"That he is," Elizabeth blushed.
"Wait a sec!" Suddenly, it hit Fiona. She grabbed her friend's hand and screamed. "You're engaged!"
Elizabeth threw her head back and laughed. "I was going to tell you when you got here! How'd you figure it out?"
"Levi. He called Jack 'dad.' Oh my goodness, Elizabeth!"
"Are you mad I didn't say anything sooner? I was afraid you would have second thoughts about coming."
"Not mad, just so, so happy for you! Tonight you are telling me everything! Leaving no detail out, you hear me? That is… if Jack will allow us a little girl time."
"She's all yours," Jack said coming up behind them with a couple suitcases. "And when she tells you how I proposed, just know I had a better plan but she ruined it with her womanly wiles."
"Ooo, this sounds like it could get a bit scandalous."
"Oh brother!" Elizabeth huffed and laughed. It was so good to have Fiona back.
