Of Dreams and
Miracles
By Misha
Disclaimer and Notes in Prologue.
Part Fifty-Four: Telling the Families
"Mom,
Daddy, Jack and I have something to tell you." Elizabeth
announced, after she and Jack entered her father's room. She wasn't
sure where Danny and Kelly were, but they weren't there, even though
Patti was.
Elizabeth saw her mother smile, as if knowing what was coming, but Herb looked apprehensive. "Yes?"
"Herb, Mrs. Brooks, I've asked Elizabeth to marry me and she said yes." Jack answered for her. "I hope we have your blessing."
Herb was quiet for a long moment, then he looked at Elizabeth. "Are you sure this is what you want?"
"Positive." Elizabeth told him immediately. "Daddy, I love Jack and I want to be with him."
Herb was quiet for a long moment. "Then you have my blessing."
"And mine." Patti added, reaching over to give Elizabeth a hug.
Herb looked at Jack and then offered him a hand. Jack shook it. "Take care of her." Herb told him quietly.
"I will." Jack promised, looking over at Elizabeth with adoring eyes. "She's the best thing that ever happened to me."
Herb just nodded. "She's a great girl, make sure you that never doing anything to not deserve or to make me regret giving you my blessing."
"I won't." Jack assured him, taking Elizabeth's hand in mind. "I swear, Herb, I'll spend the rest of my life making her happy."
Patti smiled and spoke for Herb. "That's all any parent can ask." She reached over and hugged Jack. "Welcome to the family, Jack."
"Thanks Mrs. Brooks." Jack said.
"Patti." Elizabeth's mother informed him. "After all, you're going to be our son-in-law."
Jack nodded. "Yeah, I guess I am."
"Is that what I think it is?" Gloria asked immediately when Jack and Elizabeth met up with her to tell her the news.
She took Elizabeth's hand and looked at her granddaughter with inquisitive eyes.
"Yes, it is." Elizabeth told her with a wide smile. "Nana, Jack and I are getting married."
"My baby!" Gloria exclaimed, giving Elizabeth a hug. "I can't believe that you're old enough to get married, but here you are. I'm so happy."
She released Elizabeth and embraced Jack. "You seem like a fine young man." She told him when she pulled away. "And you obviously recognize a treasure when you see one. You take care of my granddaughter or you're going to have to deal with me."
"I will." Jack promised. "And you're right, she is a treasure. I can't believe that I found her in Minnesota of all places."
Elizabeth hit him playfully, while Gloria beamed. "I knew I was going to like you." She told him, she turned to Elizabeth. "You picked well, he's got good taste."
Elizabeth rolled her eyes. "Thank goodness for that."
After leaving Gloria, they went to tell Jack's family.
They had decided that they'd tell the team the next day, everyone was getting together to celebrate and to spend the last day together. Then they'd be heading back to Minnesota and from there they'd all be going their separate ways. Elizabeth pushed that thought away, it was too sad to think about.
"Mom, Dad, Elizabeth and I have an announcement." Jack said, as soon as they were all together. Elizabeth could see Helen smiling hopefully.
"We're getting married." Elizabeth told them, holding up her hand.
Helen jumped up and embraced her. "Oh, I hoped this would happen! I'm so happy for you both!" She released Elizabeth and hugged her son.
John hugged Elizabeth. "Jack chose well." He told her.
Elizabeth felt herself get teary-eyed. "Thank you."
Jack's father nodded and then kissed her cheek. He let her go and Jack's siblings mobbed her, all hugging her enthusiastically and welcoming her to the family. They all seemed genuinely happy for her and Jack and
Elizabeth was relieved, it would have been terrible if his family had disapproved. It wouldn't have changed her mind, she would still want to marry Jack, but it would have made things uncomfortable. Luckily, that wasn't a problem, because they seemed to accept her and everything was going well.
Elizabeth wondered if she could be any happier than she was right then. She doubted it.