"I don't want to go to work," Jack groaned, rolling over to turn off his alarm. "I want to stay in this bed with you all day."

"Let's call in sick," Elizabeth mumbled.

He chuckled, sliding his arms around her and pulling her to his chest. "I don't think our coworkers would appreciate that lie after we just took time off for a honeymoon."

"I guess you have a point." She sighed. "How am I supposed to go to work all day and just pretend I wouldn't rather be in bed with you?"

"Well," he kissed her cheek, "I think most people assume that newlyweds would just rather be somewhere alone together than anywhere else."

"I'll just have to blow up a picture of you to carry around with me all day, so it's like we're still together."

"Nobody wants to see that." He laughed.

"I do." She kissed his shoulder. "I'm going to jump in the shower."

"Probably not that smart to be jumping around in something so slippery."

"Ha ha." She rolled her eyes playfully.

"I'll start on breakfast. How do eggs sound?"

"Sunny side up, please."

"Got it." He helped her out of the bed, giving her a soft kiss before retreating to the kitchen.

Harrison wandered in while Jack was slicing up some fruit. "Hi, daddy."

"Hey, bud. I'm making eggs. You want scrambled?"

"I don't wanna go to school, daddy."

Jack set down the knife, turning toward his son. "Why not? You love school."

"I wanna stay here with you and mommy."

"Well, mommy and I won't be here today. We both have to go to work."

"Oh." He climbed up into a chair. "I'm going to Nana's?"

"Nope. Mommy's picking you up today."

"Yay!" he cheered.

"What is all this excitement about?" Elizabeth came into the kitchen, pulling her hair back into a ponytail.

"I just told him you're picking him up from school today."

"That's right." She smiled. "We'll have some fun while we wait for daddy to get home from work."

"Can we play with Legos?"

"I think we can arrange that."

...

"How was the honeymoon?" Clara asked, handing Elizabeth a small bag of feed.

"It was perfect." A smile stretched across her face as she starting filling a bowl with the food. "We went to Ireland. It was so beautiful."

"What about the part where you weren't sight-seeing?" Clara wiggled her eyebrows.

A flush rose in her cheeks. "I'm not talking about that with you, Clara Flynn."

"Fine." She rolled her eyes playfully. "I'm really happy for you, Elizabeth. Marriage seems to agree with you."

"Marriage and motherhood. You know, I thought it would be a more difficult transition, going from living alone to having a husband and a kid, but it's actually been really easy. I know we'll have difficulties, but for now, it's great."

"But are you getting any…alone time…with a kid around?"

Elizabeth shot her a look. "I literally just said I'm not talking about that with you! But yes."

Clara giggled. "I'm glad Jesse and I don't have to worry about that right now."

"It certainly makes things…interesting. But are you and Jesse planning to have any kids?"

She shrugged. "Maybe. We're enjoying life with just the two of us right now, but maybe in the future."

"You just have to do what's best for the two of you." She turned. "Well, I should go feed the meerkats. Harrison is going to be asking all about them."

"I can't wait to hear all the stories you're going to have about him now. Kids are hilarious."

She smiled. "Oh, I'm sure I'll have plenty of stories. Harrison is a hoot."

...

A woman stopped beside Elizabeth, holding her child's backpack. "So you're Harrison's stepmom?"

"Oh, um, yes." She clasped her hands in front of her, turning her attention back to Harrison as he gathered up the rest of his things.

"Tell me, how exactly did you manage to bag Dr. Hottie?"

She cleared her throat, becoming uncomfortable. "Dr. Thornton and I were old friends."

"What I wouldn't give to spend one night with that man," the woman muttered.

Elizabeth turned, crossing her arms. "I'd like you to please stop talking about my husband like that. And I noticed you have a ring on your finger, so I'm just wondering how your spouse would react to knowing you fantasize about stealing other people's husbands."

"Come on. It's just in good fun. You can't tell me you've never fantasized about a married man before."

"No, and even if I did, I certainly wouldn't tell his wife about it." She glanced across the classroom again. "Harrison, time to go."

"Okay, mommy." He hurried over, sliding his hand into hers.

She said nothing as they left the school and headed toward her car.

"Mommy? Are you grumpy?" Harrison asked as she buckled him into his seat.

"Why are you asking that?"

"You're scrunched up. Right here." He rubbed the spot between his eyebrows.

"Oh." She relaxed her face, giving him a smile. "I'm just a little upset, but not at you."

"Do you need to do deep breaths? That's what Miss Campbell tells me when I get mad."

"I'm fine." She kissed his cheek. "Thank you, Harrison."

"We still gonna play with Legos?"

"Sure thing, bud. We just need to stop at the store first to get a few groceries. Why don't you tell me about your day? What did you learn?"

"We talked about polar bears. Did you know polar bears have black skin?"

"I did know that. Did you learn why?"

"'Cause it's cold where they live and black keeps them warm. Like when I wear a black shirt and I get extra sweaty."

Elizabeth laughed. "That's right."

...

"What's going on in here?" Jack stepped into the kitchen, hanging his jacket on the back of a chair.

"Just making dinner. Spaghetti and meatballs, because that's what Harrison wanted."

"It smells delicious." He walked over and kissed her on the cheek. "Hi."

"Hi."

"What's going on?" he asked, noticing that smile she gave him didn't touch her eyes.

"Nothing. It's just been a long day."

"Hey." He took the spoon from her hand and set it aside before turning her from the stove. He touched her cheek. "Talk to me."

"It's nothing, really. Just that there was a mom at Harrison's school who made me upset, and then Harrison got mad at me at the store because I wouldn't let him look at the Legos."

"Is he pouting in his room?"

"Yes. I guess I could've just gotten him a small thing of Legos, but I figured Christmas is coming up, and also we should talk about things like that now."

"Good call there. He'll get over it." He kissed her softly. "I promise."

"I was just telling Clara today that the adjustment to marriage and motherhood has been easy, but maybe I spoke too soon."

"It's not supposed to be easy, Beth. We've been living our own lives, and suddenly we're combining those lives. And then we have Harrison on top of that, and it's an adjustment for him, too."

She sighed. "I just wish it was easy."

"We'll get there." He pulled her into a hug. "We're a team now."

"Can you go tell Harrison that dinner is ready? I'm not sure if he'll listen to me right now."

"Okay."

...

"He's asleep." Jack took a seat on the sofa beside Elizabeth.

"He wasn't still upset with me, was he?"

He shook his head. "That talk we had at dinner did the trick."

"Good. I know he's going to get mad at me sometimes, but it really wasn't fun."

"Lucky for you, he doesn't get mad often." He sighed, resting his arm along the back of the sofa as he faced her. "Will you talk to me about the mom that made you upset now?"

Elizabeth groaned. "It's silly."

"If it made you upset, it's not silly."

"Well, she started out by asking how I 'bagged' you, which just made me uncomfortable, and then she made a comment implying that she wants to sleep with you."

"Ew."

She nodded. "I know. And even worse, she was wearing a wedding ring, so this is a married woman telling me she wants my husband."

"I feel bad for her husband."

"So do I. I told her off, by the way. And thankfully Harrison didn't overhear any of it."

"Good." He leaned in and kissed her.

"I love you, Jack."

"I love you more." He kissed her again. "Think it could be bedtime for us now?"

"Hm." She put a finger to her chin, pretending to be deep in thought. "I suppose we could go to bed now."

...

"What are you smiling about over there?"

"Faith had her baby." He held his phone toward her, showing the picture he had been sent of a newborn baby swaddled in a hospital blanket. "How cute is she?"

"So sweet." She took the phone from him, getting a closer look at the baby girl. "So this is Harrison's little cousin. Your niece."

"Our niece," he corrected. "We're married now, so they're all your family, too."

She smiled. "Does she have a name yet?"

"Isla Joy Shepherd."

"That's cute." She handed his phone back to him. "Have you thought at all about any names you'd like to use when we have a baby?"

He shook his head. "Not really, no. Even when Olive was pregnant with Harrison, I never really thought about names. She just suggested them, and I told her if I liked them or not."

"Where did his name come from?"

"Harrison was Olive's grandmother's maiden name. She was really close with her growing up. She passed away right after Olive found out she was pregnant, and I liked the name when Olive suggested it. His middle name—David—is after Olive's dad."

"That's sweet, honoring them that way." She moved so she was leaning against his side. "Maybe, if we have a son, we could name him Jack."

He chuckled. "I'm going to have to veto that right now."

"Why? It's a good name."

"I don't know. I just don't want to name our baby after me. They'll already get my last name."

"Okay. So we won't name our baby Jack." She looked up at him. "We could use your father's name."

"Maybe, although my brother is already named after him."

"For someone who claims to have no real opinion about names, you certainly have a lot of opinions," she teased.

"I never said I didn't have any opinions. I just mean I don't have a list of names ready or anything."

"Well, lucky for you, I do have a list of names. I just make a note whenever I come across a name I like."

He put his arms around her, placing his hand on her stomach. "I can't wait until we have an actual baby to name."

"Hopefully we won't have to wait too long."

"You're sure you want to keep trying? You don't want to wait a while?"

She sat up straight. "Do you want to wait?"

He shook his head. "No, but I was just thinking about the other day when we were talking about how much of an adjustment this marriage has been for all of us. A baby isn't going to make that adjustment any easier. I won't be upset if you want to wait a few months, or even a few years, before having a baby."

"I don't want to wait." She shifted into his lap, putting her arms around his neck. "I know we just got married, but I want to have a baby with you now. I want to give Harrison his little brother."

"Or sister," Jack added, his eyebrow raised.

"Or sister," she agreed. "Maybe we'll be more adjusted to married life in a few months, but I don't think there will ever be a perfect time for us to have a baby. Things will keep popping up to make us wonder if we should wait just a little longer, and then something else will happen again and again, and then it may be too late for us to have a baby."

"Okay." He slipped his arms around her, resting his hands on the small of her back. "If you're sure."

"I love you, Jack."

...

Harrison sat on the living room floor with Aaron, showing him his stuffed meerkat and telling him everything he knew about the animals.

Viola nudged Elizabeth with her elbow, nodding toward the two boys. "We should take the boys to the zoo together sometime."

She smiled. "Harrison would love that. That kid loves the zoo."

"How convenient that his dad married someone who works there." Viola chuckled. "Speaking of, how are you liking married life?"

Elizabeth sighed, a dreamy smile coming across her lips. "It's wonderful. Not perfect, but still amazing."

"I'm happy for you, Elizabeth." Viola put her arm around her, giving her a hug.

"Okay, Willa is napping now." Julie joined her older sisters. "What have I missed?"

"I was just asking Elizabeth if she's enjoying married life."

"Hopefully she's enjoying it enough to give us a niece or nephew soon," Julie teased.

"You and Harrison are so impatient." Elizabeth chuckled. "All I will say is that we're trying, but I'm sure you guys know that it can take time."

"You never know. You could have a honeymoon baby like I did." Viola raised her eyebrows, glancing down at Elizabeth's stomach.

"I hate to break it to you, but I'm definitely not pregnant right now. And even if I was, I probably wouldn't announce it yet."

"It'll happen when the time is right," Grace said, smiling as she came into the room. She put her arm around Elizabeth's waist. "And whenever that is, it will be a blessing."

Elizabeth took the opportunity to change the subject. "Do you need any help in the kitchen, mom?"

"Nope. Everything is in the oven now. We just have to wait for it all to cook."

"Where are the guys?" Julie looked around the room, realizing their husbands were nowhere to be found.

"In the den, I believe."

"Of course." Viola rolled her eyes and chuckled.

"At least they aren't making the rest of us watch football."

"I just hope dad isn't giving Jack the third degree."

"Don't worry, dear," Grace reassured her. "Dad adores Jack, and not just because he can say we have two doctors in the family now."

Elizabeth chuckled. "Well, that's good."

"Mommy?" Harrison looked over. "I'm hungry."

"There are some snacks set out, sweetheart." Grace held out her hand. "Let's go see what we have."

...

Elizabeth shifted Willa in her lap, trying to make sure she didn't spill any food on the baby.

"You don't have to hold her while you eat, Elizabeth," Julie said. "We can put her in the high chair."

"We're fine. Aren't we, sweet girl?" She smiled down at her niece, who gave her a gummy smile in return.

"You look awfully good with a baby, Beth," Jack whispered to her.

She met his eyes. "Someday."

"Alright, you two. Get a room," Viola teased.

Harrison furrowed his brow, confusion covering his face. "But mommy and daddy have a room. It's across from my room."

Everyone around the table laughed

"You're right, bud." Jack ruffled his hair. "Now finish your potatoes, and then we can have dessert."

"Apple pie?"

"If that's what you want."

"Can I have pie?" Aaron asked Luke sweetly.

"When you finish your green beans."

"Okay, daddy." He shoveled another bite into his mouth.

They stayed for another few hours, eating and chatting, enjoying the family time. By the time they arrived back at their own house, Harrison was nearly asleep.

Jack changed him into his pajamas and tucked him in while Elizabeth poured them both a glass of wine.

"He's asleep with Simba curled up right next to his bed." He said quietly as he returned to the living room.

"Come here." Elizabeth patted the sofa next to her and offered him a glass of wine. She immediately snuggled up beside him, resting her head on his shoulder. "I'm so full."

"Me too." He put his arm around her, kissing the top of her head. "It was a good day. Our first big holiday since we officially became a family."

"And now we get to prep for Christmas."

"I was thinking we could go pick out a tree next weekend. Harrison is very particular about what he likes."

She chuckled. "Why am I not surprised?"

"Don't worry. He's picked good ones the past two years."

"Is Christmas hard for you since you lost Olive?"

He sighed, thinking back. "The first one after she died was really hard. It had only been six months, I was still trying to figure out how to take care of a baby on my own, and it was like every song and every movie was taunting me. I was surrounded by joy, and it made me feel so alone."

"Jack…"

He shook his head. "Please don't feel sorry for me. I'm happy now. Sure, I still miss her, especially around the holidays, but I have Harrison. I have you." He kissed her gently. "I don't feel lonely anymore."

"I love you, Jack." She ran her fingers through the hair at his temple. "So much."

"I love you." He wrapped his arms around her, touching his lips to her forehead, her cheek, her jaw. "What do you want for Christmas?"

"I want to be carrying your baby."

He laughed softly. "I'll do my best."