Elizabeth jumped up at the sound of the door opening. "Jack?"
"Beth." He smiled, exhaustion written on his face. Harrison was fast asleep in his arms, his little head resting against Jack's shoulder. "You didn't have to wait up for us."
"I wanted to make sure you got home safely." She put a hand on his arm, kissing him softly. "I'm glad you're back."
"I'm glad I'm back, too." He shifted Harrison in his arms. "I should get him in bed."
"Are your bags still in the car?"
He nodded, carrying Harrison toward his bedroom. He quietly stepped out of his son's room a few moments later, finding Elizabeth carrying the suitcases into his room.
"He didn't even wake up when I put him down. He's exhausted."
"I'm sure you are, too."
"A little." He put a hand on her cheek. "Thank you for taking care of Simba."
"You're welcome." She leaned into his touch, closing her eyes for a moment to enjoy the feel of his fingers on her skin. "Mm. I should get going."
"It's late. Just stay here."
"Jack. I shouldn't…"
"I'll even let you stay in my bed again. I can take the guest room. Please?" He gave her his best puppy dog eyes and stuck out his lower lip.
She laughed softly. "How can I say no to that? But I insist you take your own bed. I'll survive one night in the guest room."
"Fine."
She quickly changed into her pajamas, then peered into Jack's room. He had fallen asleep on top of the covers, still in his clothes. Quietly making her way to his bed, she slipped his shoes off, setting them on the floor. She smiled as she watched him for a few moments, finally moving toward the door to head to the guest room. She had hoped they could talk for a bit before bed—after all, it had been a week since they had been in the same room—but she knew he needed sleep.
"Where are you going?" his mumbled voice sounded as she reached for the door handle.
"I was just checking on you, but I'm going to the guest room now."
"Come here." He sleepily waved her over. "I want you in here."
"In your bed? With you?" She raised her eyebrows. "Are you sure, Jack?"
"No funny business, I promise." He sighed. "I'm too tired to try anything, anyway," he joked.
Hesitantly, she slipped into the bed beside him. He immediately pulled her into his arms, and she melted into his embrace.
He nuzzled his face into her hair. "I love you, Elizabeth."
"I love you, too."
He fell back to sleep quickly, deep breaths escaping through his parted lips. Elizabeth lay awake in his arms for a while after, grateful to have him back. Finally, she drifted off to sleep, too, comforted by his warmth and presence.
...
"Daddy." Harrison climbed up onto the bed the next morning. "Why is Miss Beth in here?"
"Oh, um…" Jack sat up slowly, looking over at Elizabeth. She clearly hadn't heard Harrison enter the room, because she was still fast asleep. "Why don't you go take Simba in the backyard so he can go potty?"
"Then you tell me?"
"Yeah, bud."
"Okay." He slid off the bed and hurried out of the room.
Elizabeth stirred when the back door closed loudly.
"Hi, sleepyhead." Jack smiled, pushing the hair out of her face. He couldn't help but notice how beautiful she looked first thing in the morning, fresh-faced and sleepy-eyed. If he were being honest, all he could think about was how great it would be to wake up to her every day.
"Hi." Her voice was still rough with sleep as she snuggled into him again, a smile playing on her lips.
"How did you sleep?"
"Really well. And you?"
"Better than I have in a while. But," he stretched his arms above his head, "we should get up. Harrison already came in here and saw you in bed with me."
"No!" She covered her face and groaned. "Seriously? That's just perfect. Now he's going to tell everybody about it. What's your mother going to say?"
"Don't worry. I'll explain it to her." He leaned over to kiss her. "I'm going to check on him."
"I'll be out shortly, although I should get going soon."
"Can you stay for breakfast, at least?"
She looked over at the clock, covering her mouth as she yawned. "A quick breakfast, but I have work today." She stretched her back. "I'm going to get dressed."
"Okay. Just come to the kitchen when you're ready." He kissed her once more before heading out to the backyard to check on Harrison and Simba.
"Daddy, look." Harrison giggled as he lay in the middle of the yard, letting Simba crawl all over him. "Simba missed me."
"I bet he did," Jack chuckled. "Did he go potty yet?"
Harrison nodded. "Yes. Time to feed him?"
"Mhmm. Let's get him back inside."
Harrison called the puppy over, and the three of them went to the kitchen.
"Daddy?" Harrison questioned as he poured the food into the puppy's food dish. "Why did you have a sleepover with Miss Beth?"
"You know Miss Beth stayed here to watch Simba while we were at grandma and grandpa's house, so she was here when we got home last night. It was really late, and I didn't want Miss Beth to drive home when she was tired, because that's not safe."
"Oh." He cocked his head. "Will you have another sleepover?"
"Um," he cleared his throat. "I don't think so, bud."
"But I like when Miss Beth is here."
"So do I, but Miss Beth has her own house."
"What about my house?" Elizabeth came into the kitchen, hair pulled back and dressed in her work clothes.
"I was just telling Harrison that you have your own house that you live at, and you only stayed here with us last night because it was so late when we got home."
"That's right, Harrison." She ruffled his hair. "I have to go back to my house now. But you'll still see me all the time."
"I missed you." He wrapped his arms around her legs.
"I missed you, too." She picked him up, settling him on her hip. "You know, I keep forgetting to ask what you two are doing for the Fourth."
"We usually just go somewhere that's doing a firework show, or sometimes we spend the day with my friends, Lee and Rosemary."
"Lee Coulter?"
He nodded. "One and the same."
"Wow, it's been a while since I've seen him."
"You can join us this year, if you'd like."
"Actually," she set Harrison back down, "I was going to see if you two want to come to my parents' house. My dad always grills, and Aaron will be there, so Harrison wouldn't be the only kid. Plus, you already know everybody that will be there."
"What do you think, bud? Do you want to go watch fireworks with Miss Beth's family?"
"Uh huh." He nodded excitedly.
"In that case," Jack put his arms around Elizabeth's waist, "we accept your invitation."
"Good." She touched her nose to his. "What's for breakfast?"
"Cereal, probably, since you need to head out soon."
"I want Cheerios!" Harrison called out.
"Okay." Jack chuckled. "Cheerios for you."
...
"Nana!" Harrison jumped up into Charlotte's arms.
"Hi, Sonny boy." She hugged him tightly. "How are you today?"
"Good. Guess what, Nana. Daddy had a sleepover with Miss Beth last night. She was in daddy's room."
Charlotte raised her eyebrows at her son. "Is that right?"
Jack groaned. "She was housesitting while we were out of town, and when Harrison and I got home, it was late. We were both exhausted, and I didn't want her driving home at midnight."
"So she stayed in your room? With you?"
"It was totally innocent, mom. I promise you won't be getting any more grandkids unless I get married again, although that shouldn't matter since I'm an adult."
"I'm not judging you, son. I'm really happy to see you so happy." She pinched his cheek.
"Ma!" He pushed her away.
"Alright, alright. Just get on to work now."
"Thank you for watching Harrison on such short notice."
"Of course. We'll have a great time."
"I'll pick up some dinner on the way home from work." He touched Harrison's arm. "Bye, buddy. I'll be back in a couple of hours, okay? Have fun with nana."
"Okay, daddy." He waved as Jack walked back out to the car.
"Well, little man. What sort of mischief should we get into today?" Charlotte shifted her grandson on her hip. "It's supposed to start raining soon, so we can't play outside."
"We can watch Finding Nemo."
"Not Lion King?" She feigned shock.
"No. Finding Nemo today."
"Okay." She lowered him to the floor. "Why don't you take your shoes off, and I'll start the movie while I get some snacks for us?"
"Apples and peanut butter?"
"I'll see what I can do." She smiled, nudging him toward the living room.
A little while later, Harrison was snuggled up against Charlotte on the sofa as they watched the movie.
"Nana?"
"What is it, little man?" She tightened her arms around him.
"I wish Miss Beth could stay with me and daddy every day."
"You like her a lot, huh?"
He nodded. "She's nice, and daddy smiles at her a lot." He let out a little sigh. "I want daddy to marry her."
"What does your daddy say about that?"
"He says he has to date her for longer. He dated mommy for forever." Harrison turned to look at her. "You tell him to marry Miss Beth. You're in charge of him."
Charlotte chuckled. "I can tell him, Sonny boy, but if your daddy isn't ready to marry her, then I can't make him."
"But he loves her!"
"It's not that simple, Harrison."
"Daddy said that."
...
"Hi." Elizabeth smiled when she answered the door and found Jack and Harrison standing there. Simba let out a little bark and jumped up on her leg. "Hi, Simba." She laughed, scratching him between the ears.
"Hi." Jack leaned in and kissed her softly. "Thank you again for inviting us."
"I'm glad you could come. Everybody's out back, so just follow me."
Jack picked Simba up, and Harrison took Elizabeth's hand as she led them through the house and into the backyard.
"Jack and Harrison are here," Elizabeth announced to her family.
"And Simba!" Harrison added.
She laughed. "How could I forget Simba?"
Jack lowered the puppy to the grass, and he immediately took off running. Harrison ran after him, giggling all the way.
"Hey, Jack." Luke clapped him on the back. "Always good to see you outside of work."
He chuckled. "You, too."
"He's handsome as ever," Julie said under her breath, nudging Elizabeth in the side.
Elizabeth's cheeks reddened. "He is," she agreed. "Where's my niece?"
"Owen is changing her diaper."
"Well, I need some Willa snuggles."
"You know you could just have your own baby." Julie wiggled her eyebrows. "You have a boyfriend now."
"Ha ha." She rolled her eyes. "Not happening any time soon. Although apparently, Harrison keeps asking Jack for a little brother."
"There you go. You could make that little boy's dreams come true."
"Julie," she warned. "We've only been dating for like two months."
"And? You've known each other for over a decade. Just think of how cute your babies would be," she gushed. "Those kids would be perfect."
"Don't hold your breath."
They both turned when they heard Harrison raise his voice excitedly.
"Daddy loooves Miss Beth. He told me." He explained to Luke. "And Miss Beth was sleeping in daddy's bed, but he said no more sleepovers."
"Okay, Harrison." Elizabeth stepped up, putting her hands on his shoulders. "Why don't you and Aaron go play fetch with Simba?"
"Okay." Harrison ran off, Aaron following closely.
"You didn't hear that," Elizabeth said to her brother-in-law.
He put his hands up, chuckling. "I don't care what you and Jack do, just as long as you don't keep him up all night. Doctors need to be rested and sharp, after all."
She blushed. "No need to worry about that."
...
Jack reached for the bottle of mustard, but glanced over at Elizabeth when he heard her laugh. He froze at the sight that greeted him. She was holding her little niece, and before he could stop it, an image popped into his mind of her holding their baby.
"She looks good with a baby, huh?" Julie stepped up beside him.
"Uh," he nervously rubbed the back of his neck, "yeah."
"You ever think about having any more kids?"
"Not really. To be honest, up until I reconnected with Elizabeth, I never even thought about dating again, let alone getting married or having more kids."
"But now?"
He let out a soft laugh. "Elizabeth and I haven't really had this conversation yet, so I don't think I should be talking about this with you."
"Well, I heard that Harrison keeps asking you about a baby brother, and for what it's worth, I'm pretty sure Elizabeth would be willing to help out with that." She gave him a wink before walking away, not giving him a chance to respond again.
Jack watched her, shaking his head. She approached Elizabeth, giving her a little nudge in the side. She said something, and Elizabeth's cheeks darkened.
A few moments later, Elizabeth handed over her niece and joined Jack by the food.
"Sorry that I wasn't here to save you from Julie."
He gave her a smile. "It's okay. I survived."
"She was bugging you about me, wasn't she?"
"Uh," he grabbed another plate for Harrison, "both of us, really. I think she and Harrison are in cahoots or something."
Elizabeth chuckled. "Was it the 'you two should have a baby' speech?"
"You got that one, too?"
She nodded. "Not long after you and Harrison got here." She looked at him out of the corner of her eye. "I hope my family isn't making you feel pressured, Jack."
"No." He set down the plate and pulled her into his arms. "I love you, Elizabeth. I see a future with you." He pressed a soft kiss to her lips. "Someday, I hope that we'll be a family. You, me, and Harrison. I don't want to rush us, though."
"I understand. We can take however long we need." A smile played on her lips. "I love you, Jack."
...
"So, Beth. How are you and Jack doing?" Grace sat across from her daughter.
She glanced at the ground, a smile stretching across her face. "Good."
"I'm glad. You two seem really good together. And your dad likes him." She tilted her head toward William and Jack, who were chatting on the other side of the yard. William laughed at something Jack said, and Grace smiled. "He's always thought he was a nice young man."
"I love him, mom. And Harrison, too."
"He's a wonderful little boy, and if things go well, I know you'll be a great mother to him."
Elizabeth fidgeted with her fingers. "I want to be his mom so badly, and I think he wants that, too."
"Good." Grace reached over, taking her hand and squeezing it gently. "I really hope everything works out for the three of you."
She looked back at Jack, her smile growing wider. "I hope so, too."
"Miss Beth!" Harrison ran over and grabbed her hand. "It's time for fireworks! You gotta sit with me and daddy."
Elizabeth laughed. "Okay, bud. Let's go put Simba inside, first. We don't want him to get scared."
Ten minutes later, Jack and Elizabeth were sitting side-by-side on a blanket spread out on the driveway, looking over at the open field across the street where the fireworks were being launched.
Harrison crawled into Elizabeth's lap, leaning back against her chest.
Jack leaned over, kissing her cheek. "Thanks again for inviting us. I'm having a wonderful time."
"Thank you for coming."
"Shh! Fireworks starting."
Elizabeth laughed, wrapping her arms around the little boy. "Sorry."
Jack slipped his arm around her waist. She met his gaze and smiled.
"This is perfect," he whispered. "I love you."
She leaned up to kiss him. "I love you, too."