Jack draped his arm across the back of the sofa, behind Elizabeth. "I know you mentioned before that you'd want a small wedding. Is that still the case?"
She nodded. "The smaller the wedding, the sooner we can start our life together." Turning toward him, she tucked her legs beneath herself. "What do you think about having the wedding in November?"
"Two months from now?"
"Well, I was thinking about early November, so just over a month. That would give us enough time to take care of the important things, and we could take a short honeymoon before Thanksgiving. But if that's too soon for you, that's fine. We could get married in the new year."
"It's not too soon." He touched her cheek. "I wouldn't have proposed if I wasn't ready to marry you."
She smiled, leaning into his touch. "Okay, so we can aim for the first weekend in November."
"Any idea where you want this wedding to happen?"
"My parents have offered up their backyard, but it might be a little too cold for an outdoor ceremony. How about your church?"
"I'll have to ask to make sure it's not booked for something else that weekend, but that could work. And we can keep your parents' house as a plan B."
"Perfect." She leaned in and pressed her lips to his. "I can't wait to marry you."
"Me neither. But I think Harrison might be more excited than either of us." He let out a soft laugh. "Every day since we got engaged, he's asked me—multiple times—when the wedding is and how soon before we're a family or when he's going to get a brother."
She grinned. "I love that kid."
"He's pretty great." He put his hands on her waist, pulling her into his lap. "And just think, in a year or so, we could have another pretty great kid in our family." He dropped light kisses across her face.
"We could." She linked her arms behind his neck, fingers feathering his hair. "A mini you."
"Or a mini you." His lips found hers again. And again and again. "We're going to have some really adorable kids. But not until we're married." He chuckled as he pulled back, trying to catch his breath.
"Right." She blushed. "It wouldn't be very good for me to be dealing with morning sickness at our wedding. Or our honeymoon."
"Speaking of the honeymoon, do you have any preferences?"
She shook her head. "I don't care where we go, as long as I'm with you."
"How about I plan it and surprise you?"
"Okay, but I have one condition."
He ran his hand down her arm. "What is it?"
"Nowhere with lots of birds."
He laughed. "You still have your weird fear of birds?"
"Hey." She lightly hit his arm. "It's a valid fear. You try being attacked by a gaggle of geese without being wary of birds after that."
"You're adorable." He grinned, touching his nose to hers. "I promise I will try to keep our honeymoon as bird-free as possible. Do you have a passport?"
"Yes."
"Good. I'll make the honeymoon plans, then."
"Are you thinking of somewhere out of the country?"
"Maybe." He gave her a quick kiss. "You'll find out in less than two months. I'll ask about the church tomorrow, and then I'll let you know what days to ask off work."
"Okay." She leaned into him, tightening her arms around him. Suddenly, she gasped.
"What is it?"
"Isn't Faith due in November?"
"Yes." He looked at her, confused for a moment before the realization hit him. "Oh. You wanted to invite her?"
"We said close family and friends. She's your family. I thought you'd want to invite her and Carson, and maybe Olive's parents, too."
He smiled and brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. "You're amazing, you know that?"
...
"November sixth? That's only five weeks away!" Julie lamented.
"I know." Elizabeth rifled through the dresses on the rack. "But we don't want a big wedding, and I want to make things official before the holidays. Honestly, I'd marry him today, but at least this gives us time to plan an actual wedding ceremony."
"The Thatchers have had all manner of weddings. Maybe it's about time we try a small one." Grace smiled at her daughters. "If there's anything we can help with, Beth, you just need to ask."
"Thank you, but we've gotten most of the big things done. We've already booked the church, and Jack's pastor has agreed to officiate. I don't know if you remember Lee Coulter, but he's catering, and his wife is doing the cake and desserts. Jack and Harrison already have matching suits, and we're going this weekend to pick out ties. So we just need to get flowers, and I need a dress. And speaking of, what about this one?" Elizabeth pulled one of the dresses off the rack.
"It's your wedding, dear. You try on whatever dresses you like. And remember, money is no object. Your sisters got the dresses of their dreams, and your father and I want the same for you."
She chose a few more dresses with the help of her sisters and took them into the changing room.
She slipped the first one on, tearing up when she looked into the mirror.
"Okay, I know I shouldn't just pick the very first dress I try on, but this one is perfect." She stepped out from behind the curtain. "What do you all think?"
"You look beautiful." Grace clasped her hands in front of herself. "I love it."
"I don't think I even need to try on the other ones." She slowly turned, allowing them to see the whole dress. "This one is almost a perfect fit, too."
"Well, this is one more thing you can check off your list."
She smiled, smoothing her hands over the silk. "I can't believe it's all coming together so quickly."
"I think that's a sign that this is meant to be." Grace came up and stood behind her, placing a hand on her shoulder. "I'm so happy for you, Elizabeth."
"Thank you, mom."
"Now, whenever you're ready, you need to get out of that so we can pay for it."
"Jules," she turned to her younger sister, "can you help me with the zipper?"
"Sure thing." She followed Elizabeth into the changing room. "Jack is going to appreciate the zipper," she teased. "Do you remember all the buttons on my dress? Those weren't for show, and I thought Owen was about to give up halfway through."
"Okay, Julie." Elizabeth gave her a playful shove. "I love my niece, but I don't need the details about how she came into existence."
"Well, smarty-pants, do the math and you'd know Willa wasn't a honeymoon baby."
Elizabeth cringed. "I'd rather not."
"You should talk to Vi. Aaron definitely was a honeymoon baby."
Elizabeth groaned. "I don't want to know these things, Julie Stewart."
"Oh, come on. We're sisters."
"Well, just know that you aren't going to get any details from me."
"Boooring."
She chuckled. "Call me boring all you want. I don't care." She draped the dress over her arm. "Okay, let's go buy my dress."
...
"Mommy!" Harrison lit up when Elizabeth came into the classroom. "You're taking me home?"
She nodded, opening her arms when he ran over to hug her. "Your daddy had to run some errands, so it's you and me until dinnertime."
"Okay!"
"Go get your backpack while I sign you out, and then we can go."
He hurried to gather his things and returned to her side. He slipped his hand into hers as they walked out of the school.
"How was school today?"
"So fun! It was show and tell."
"Oh really?" She opened her car door and helped him into the back seat. "What did you bring?"
"My meerkat you gave me for my birthday!"
"Did you tell all your friends how meerkats are your favorite?"
"Mhmm." He nodded, watching her get into the driver's seat. "And I told them my mommy takes care of meerkats at the zoo."
She smiled, glancing at him in the rearview mirror and saying a silent prayer of thanks that she was getting the chance to be the little boy's mom. "I love you, Harrison Thornton."
"I love you, mommy."
"So, Harrison, what should we do while we wait for your daddy to get home?"
"Build Legos!"
"I haven't played with Legos in a long time. That sounds like a lot of fun."
...
"Mommy?" Harrison placed a Lego brick on his project and looked up. "When you marry daddy, will you live here?"
"Yes, Harrison. I will. I'll live here with you and your daddy and Simba."
He was quiet for a few moments, thoughtful. "You and daddy will have sleepovers?"
She chuckled. "Yes. Your daddy and I will share a room after we get married."
"Will I have to share my room with my brother?"
"Well, if we have a baby, we'll probably turn the guest room into the baby's room."
"Oh." He put a few more bricks together. "Can we get a bunny?"
"A bunny? You just got Simba a few months ago."
He shrugged. "I want a bunny."
Elizabeth chuckled. "It's probably not the best time for us to get another pet, but maybe in the future."
"Okay, mommy."
"What are you building?"
"A spaceship!" He held up the rectangular object he had put together.
"Oh! A spaceship! Great job, buddy. You'll have to show your daddy when he gets home."
"No, Simba!" Harrison shouted when the puppy came over, trying to grab the toy from his hand. "My Legos!"
"Hey, Simba." Elizabeth picked up the puppy. "Let's go get one of your toys."
She stood, placing the puppy back on the ground while she retrieved a toy from his basket.
"What's going on in here?" Jack came in the front door, taking in the scene in front of him.
"We're playing Legos!" Harrison held his spaceship up again.
Elizabeth chuckled, making her way to her fiancé. "Be careful where you step. They're everywhere."
He kissed her cheek. "Thanks for picking Harrison up today."
"Of course. Did you finish all your errands?"
He nodded, sliding his arms around her waist. "I also brought dinner."
She smiled. "What did you bring?"
"Burgers and fries."
"Yum." She gave him a quick kiss. "Thank you."
"I'll just go grab the food then."
...
After Harrison was in bed, Jack and Elizabeth snuggled up on the sofa. She leaned her head against his shoulder as his arm pulled her closer.
"I got a dress today."
"Your wedding dress?"
She chuckled. "What other dress would I be talking about? Yes, my wedding dress." She tucked her legs beneath herself. "It actually worked out really well. It's almost a perfect fit, so the alterations will definitely be done in time."
"Good." He kissed her temple. "I talked to my mom today, and she said she can watch Harrison for the week while we're on our honeymoon."
"And where is our honeymoon?"
"A bird sanctuary."
"Ha ha." She gave him a playful shove. "If you take me to a bird sanctuary for our honeymoon, our marriage isn't going to last very long."
"I can't promise no birds, but I can promise that you'll love it. I bought our plane tickets and booked our rental house, and I'm making up a list of things we can do while we're there."
"Everything's really coming together."
He smiled. "It is. Can you believe we just have about a month to go?"
"I can't wait. It's going to be so nice to be able to call you my husband."
He took her face in his hands. "And you'll be my wife, Elizabeth Thornton. Assuming you're going to change your name."
"Yes." She smiled, leaning in to kiss him. "Mostly so we can be referred to as 'Dr. and Mrs. Thornton,'" she teased.
"Have I told you lately how much I love you?" He grinned, kissing her again, this time pulling her into his lap.
She let out a breathy chuckle when they finally pulled apart. "It's a good thing we're getting married soon, because it's getting harder and harder to resist you." She slid herself off of his lap. "I should probably head home. I have to be at work early tomorrow."
"Will I see you at all tomorrow?"
"I'll try to stop by after work, but I do need to stop by the florist and see what we can do about flowers." She stood. "Oh, my mom and dad want to have dinner with us and Harrison and your mom sometime before the wedding, so could you figure out a day that would be good for that?"
He nodded, following her to the door. "I'll talk to my mom tomorrow."
"Good night, Jack." She put her arms around him. "I love you."
He pressed his lips to her forehead. "Good night, Beth. I love you."