There's a mild STEAM ALERT in this one for suggestive language


September 13th, 2010 – Sully Schools

The week following the wedding had been a busy one. Jack, Elizabeth, Tom and Sam helped Lee and Rosemary move into their new house, located only a couple miles down the road from the Thorntons. After which, Rosie and Elizabeth had to get their classrooms prepared for the new school year. That weekend brought them to another rodeo. Having a great run and placing eighth, Jack and Lee could see evidence of their growth in their performance.

Elizabeth was sitting at her desk, typing some lesson notes into her computer when her first class began to file into her classroom. The fourth graders, so excited with returning to school, seeing their friends, and seeing Mrs. Thornton, had been difficult to get to settle down. Finally in their seats with a box of crayons and drawing paper in front of them, Elizabeth asked them to draw something they had done that summer.

Walking around the room, she saw lots of kids drawing themselves swimming, a few at different national parks or monuments and one was on a horse.

"Did you get to ride a horse this summer?" She asked Rebecca, a quiet young girl that had moved to their school the year prior.

"I live on a farm and we have horses. I ride all the time."

"Lovely. I live on a ranch and we have horses, too."

"Really?" Rebecca asked, her eyes lighting up.

"Yes, I sure do. And I have a horse, his name is Wrangler."

"Wow, that's great. My horse's name is Lady."

Moving around the room, pleased with how excited the children were with their assignment, Elizabeth enjoyed seeing the variety of events the kids had all gotten to experience.

The last period was her high school students. As she walked around the room, spending one-on-one time with each student as they painted, she stopped and stared at Emily's painting.

"Have you been there?" Elizabeth asked, looking at the perfect paint strokes of her Eiffel Tower.

Turning to face her, Emily answered, "Yes, I went this summer with my family."

"Mr. Thornton and I went there for our honeymoon. It was just beautiful, wasn't it."

"Oh, yes, Mrs. Thornton. I spent hours just staring at and sketching the tower. And at night when it would sparkle..."

Chuckling, remembering her own visit, Elizabeth replied, "Yes, that was the best."

Elizabeth sat behind her desk as her students cleaned up their areas, placing their artwork into their portfolios and the brushes and paints in their homes.

A couple minutes before the bell rang, a knock at the door brought Elizabeth's attention to find Jack walking into her classroom. Giggles could be heard across the classroom from various girls.

Jack grinned as he glanced in their direction, causing each of them to blush and quickly look away, only to turn their gaze back to him once he looked back at Elizabeth.

"What are you doing here, Jack?"

"I was in the neighborhood so I thought I would take the sexy teacher out for dinner," he whispered, trying to keep his voice low enough that the students wouldn't hear him.

Looking at her students then back to Jack, Elizabeth nodded, "I'll be ready in ten."

"I'll be waiting, Mrs. Thornton," Jack replied as he tipped his hat and walked out of the room, but not before glancing back to the giggling girls just before stepping out the door, causing laughter to erupt as he disappeared.

Five of her female students rushed to her desk once they were sure he was out of earshot.

"Is that your husband?" The designated leader of the group asked.

Laying her hands on top of her desk, attempting to keep a straight face, she answered, "Yes, that is Mr. Thornton."

The girls were locked, arm in arm, as they began to giggle once more. "He's so cute," one of them stated.

Trying her hardest to hold back her smile, she replied with a small grin, "Why, thank you, Lisa. I think so, too."

Saved by the sound of the end-of-day bell, the girls rushed out of the room; laughter could be heard as they hurried down the hall in hopes of another glimpse of this handsome cowboy.

As soon as all of the students had filed out of the room, Elizabeth let her laughter loose and had to wipe the tears from her eyes before leaving.

…..

September 19th, 2010 – Hope Meadows Ranch

Elizabeth was standing in the bathroom, wearing only her black lace bra and panties. As she ran a brush through her hair, Jack stepped in and seeing her, stopped and leaned against the wall, watching. As his eyes lowered down her body, they stopped on her belly.

"Elizabeth," he said, walking toward her.

Turning to face him, her brow pinched, she asked, "What?"

Jack turned her back to the mirror, standing behind her, he laid his hands on her stomach. "You're starting to show."

Elizabeth turned sideways and looked at her tiny, growing baby bump in the mirror, laying her hands on her belly. "Well, that explains why I can't get into my jeans anymore."

"You are even more beautiful than ever," Jack commented, kissing her neck.

Still looking at her profile, Elizabeth ran her hand across her stomach, resting it at the base of the tiny bump. "You can barely even see it. How did you notice this."

Jack turned Elizabeth to face him and cupped her face in his hands, "Beth, I know your body better than I know my own. I've memorized every curve, every freckle, every dimple. That tiny little scar on your left leg from your bike accident as a kid," Jack bent down and ran his finger across the small, faded mark. "This perfect heart shaped freckle on your shoulder," he said as he kissed the spot. "This dimple in your hip that shows up when you turn a certain way," he said as he brushed his finger along her skin. "This tiny mole just below your ear," Jack pressed his lips against the sensitive spot that always sent chills through her body.

Drawing in a deep breath and stepping back, Elizabeth grinned and said, "Okay, okay. You definitely know my body. As much as I'd like to continue this," she said, stopping briefly to kiss him, "if I don't finish getting ready, we'll be late for church and we're singing today."

Throwing his head back in an exaggerated motion, Jack let out a huge sigh, "Oh, alright." Stepping back to her, pressing his body against hers, he added in a low, husky voice, "but we're picking up where we left off when we get home."

…..

After church, everyone gathered at Frank and Charlotte's for dinner. Austin was sitting on Jack's lap, playing keep away with his stuffed dog, pretending to hand it to Jack, then pull it away just as he was about to grab it.

Frank had begun to learn ASL so he could communicate with Savannah. In order to practice, he was attempting to have a conversation with her, with Charlotte at his side for back up.

"What did she ask me?"

Charlotte covered her mouth with her hand, a lone tear falling down her cheek.

"What is it? What did she ask? If she could call me what?"

"Grandpa," Charlotte answered.

"What?" Frank asked, holding his gaze on Charlotte, "she wants to call me grandpa?"

Smiling, Charlotte nodded, "Yes."

Not sure what to say, not wanting to hurt anyone's feelings, Frank asked, "What do you think?"

Charlotte, in full understanding of Frank's hesitancy, gave him a loving smile and answered, "I think that would make her very happy."

Returning his attention to Savannah, Frank replied, "Of course you can, I would love that."

From a distance, Jack watched his mother and Frank; always softly touching one another, stealing glances, never far from each other's side.

With Austin now asleep on his lap, Jack was smiling as he watched them, so clearly in love.

Elizabeth sat in the seat next to him, following his gaze to the happy couple.

"They are sure in love, aren't they?" She asked, laying her hand on his. "They remind me of some other couple," she added, squeezing his hand.

Looking at his wife, he smiled and nodded. "Can you promise me something?"

"Of course."

"Please promise that if anything ever happens to me, that you'll move on, find love again."

Turning in her chair to face him, a look of disgust on her face, she replied, "Why are you saying this? What brought this up?"

With a caring smile, he looked back to his mother and pointed, "I haven't seen her this happy for twelve years. She wouldn't allow herself to love again, constantly saying that she had her fairytale and she didn't need to be heartbroken again." Turning his eyes back to Elizabeth, he continued, taking her hands in his, "She missed out on so much life, so much love. I don't want you to miss out on anything."

"Jack, you are my one true love, and you aren't going anywhere."

"Beth, we can't say that and you know it. When I fell off my horse, you can't tell me that the thought of my dying never crossed your mind."

Shaking her head, she lowered her gaze, "Of course it did."

Jack lifted his hand to her chin, tipping her face back up to his. "I don't want to live without you and I don't want to leave without you. But we both know that things can change in a fleeting moment. I just want to know that you'll be alright, that you won't be alone."

"Jack, if anything happens to you, I will not be alright."

"Eventually you will."

Elizabeth shook her head, a single tear falling down her cheek.

"I've seen it, Beth. When my dad died, my mom stayed strong in front of us because she thought that was what we needed. But at night, when she thought we were asleep, I heard her, I heard her crying, weeping. This went on for months. I never told her that I heard her because I was afraid it would make her feel worse."

"Jack, I'm so sorry. That's a lot for a young man to go through."

"It was a lot for my mom to go through. I know it wouldn't happen right away, at least I hope it wouldn't," he winked, trying to lighten the moment, cause a small smile to appear on her face. "But I don't want you sitting around, pining away, wasting your life. You have so much love to give, and I don't want you to keep it all to yourself."

"Jack."

"Please, just tell me you won't give up on love."

Elizabeth was taken aback by the seriousness in Jack's voice, "Okay, Jack. I promise, as long as you promise me the same thing."

This caught Jack off guard, his eyes which were watching her hand on his, shot back up to hers, the blue pools looking into his soul.

"Jack, I want you to promise me the same thing."

"But, I..."

"I don't want to live a day without you. I can't imagine my life without you by my side. But like you said, a fleeting moment. I, too, want to know that you won't stay alone. I want you to be loved, to give love."

"Okay," was the only response that Jack could muster.

…..

October 1st, 2010 – Hope Meadows Ranch

With school resumed and Jack fully immersed in his work of training four more horses, the couple fell back into a routine of working all day and spending each evening at home in each other's arms. With Elizabeth's morning sickness still in full force, they had begun going to bed earlier, knowing she would be up in the early hours, sitting on the bathroom floor with Jack by her side.

Not wanting a big production for her birthday this year, they stayed home alone and enjoyed a meal prepared by Jack. Consisting of sirloin steaks, grilled potatoes, and corn on the cob, Elizabeth's favorites, they enjoyed a quiet meal on the back deck, overlooking their large back lawn and art studio.

Wyatt began barking and took off around the deck to the front of the house as the sound of an approaching vehicle that had stopped at the front of the house.

"Expecting someone?" Elizabeth asked.

"No," Jack replied, pushing his chair back to go see who it was.

Walking through the house, he reached for the doorknob as he heard a knock, opening it to find his mother and Frank.

"Hey, Ma, Frank. What are you two doing here?"

"It's Beth's birthday," Charlotte answered.

"Ma, I told you, we aren't doing anything for it this year. She's been having a hard time with morning sickness and just wants to relax."

"I know, but I'm not letting a child's birthday go by without at least seeing her and dropping this off." Charlotte held up a cake that she'd made and decorated.

"Well, she probably would love to have a slice of that," Jack added, taking the dish from her hand, inspecting the cake. "Chocolate?"

"Of course, Beth's favorite."

They joined Elizabeth, who was still sitting out on the deck, enjoying the crisp, fresh air.

"Happy birthday, Beth," Charlotte said as she bent down to hug her.

"Thank you. What are you guys doing here?"

"We wanted to bring you this," Charlotte answered, motioning to the cake that Jack was still carrying.

"How did you know that I've been craving chocolate all day? This is wonderful! Please, you two stay and have some with us."

Jack cut the cake and served each of them a slice, then placed one on a plate for himself.

Charlotte and Frank stayed for an hour, enjoying time visiting with Jack and Elizabeth. Standing in their doorway, watching as Frank's truck drove down the drive, Jack turned to Elizabeth, resting his hands on her hips.

"Happy birthday, Beth," he whispered in her ear before kissing her neck.

…..

October 3rd, 2010 – Hope Meadows Ranch

Jack was leading Harley into the barn after checking on the horses that afternoon, a loyal Wyatt at his side. Turning down the aisle that led to his stall, Jack noticed Elizabeth standing at Wranglers stall, her arms around him, her face against his neck.

"Smelling that sweet scent again?"

Turning to Jack, she smiled, "Yes, I miss this. I can't wait to ride again."

"You'll be running Wrangler through the pasture before you know it."

As Jack passed her, he ran his hand down her arm and across her back, watching her face as she looked back to her horse. Elizabeth always looked at the animals with wonderment, like she's constantly trying to hear their thoughts or see into their souls. Jack has known from the first time she touched Wrangler, that she had something special, something that isn't taught or learned, something you're born with.

…..

October 9th, 2010 – Coulter Ranch

"Wow, this roast was amazing," Elizabeth stated as they cleared the table.

"Thanks," Rosie replied. "It's how my mom always prepared it."

"Yes, Rosie. This meal was wonderful. Thank you," Jack added.

"Looks like you guys are all settled in. How are you liking it here?" Elizabeth asked.

"We love it," Lee said. "Wonderful to have all this space, inside and out. Rosie's house was great but a little small."

"Have you thought anymore about cattle or horses?" Jack asked Lee.

"I think both. Mainly cattle. But I'd like to get a few horses to train and resell."

"That's a great idea. Let me know if you need any help."

"Most definitely. Hey did you get anything this morning?"

"Nope. Just spent a couple hours sitting in the deer blind with no deer. Tom got one though. They were moving along the south edge this morning. I was in the blind on the west edge."

"I need to get out there sometime this month. I just got my bow back from being adjusted and it's ready to go."

"Anytime. Just let me know when you go so we know that someone is out there."

"So, how have you been feeling, Rosemary?" Elizabeth asked as the women rejoined the men at the table.

"I've been feeling great. Lots of energy, no morning sickness. Just this growing belly that keeps getting in the way."

"Well, you look wonderful," Elizabeth added.

"Thank you. So do you. Your baby bump has really come out fast, you're almost as big as me."

Looking down and smiling, Elizabeth ran her hands across her stomach. Jack reached over and laid his hand on top of her belly, leaving it there for several minutes.

"Are you guys going to find out if it's a boy or a girl," Lee asked, taking a drink of his coffee.

Jack turned to Elizabeth before answering, "We've talked about it. We're still trying to decide. They brought it up at our last ultrasound. Said they could try to see at our next one in a couple weeks."

"Wait, do you two know?" Elizabeth asked, realizing that they could have found out at their last appointment.

Grinning, Rosie turned to Lee. "Actually, yes, we do."

"What?! And you didn't tell us?"

"We were thinking about keeping it a surprise," Lee commented.

"Well, you can just say right now, 'surprise, it's a...' And it would be a surprise," Elizabeth, said, giggling.

Lee squeezed Rosemary's hand and nodded to her.

"Okay, okay. We'll tell you," Rosie said, but then remained silent.

"Well?" Elizabeth asked.

Standing, Rosie disappeared into the kitchen then returned with a cake, setting it on the table and laying a knife beside it.

"Rosemary Coulter, are you going to tell us or not?" Elizabeth asked, giving her a sideways look.

"Cut the cake," Rosie encouraged.

"What? Fine, we'll eat dessert. But only because I'm craving cake again."

Picking up the knife, Elizabeth cut a slice out of the cake and slid it onto a plate. Looking down at the dessert, she noticed the inside of the cake was pink.

"What is this? Strawberry?"

"Liz, think about it," Rosemary said, leaning back in her seat and crossing her arms.

Jack looked back and forth between the two, trying to figure out what was going on. Lee sat in silence, grinning his usual ornery grin.

"Think about what, Rosie?"

"Alright, this is not going as planned. I baked a gender reveal cake."

Dropping her gaze back to the cake, Elizabeth's eyes widened, "You're having a girl!"

Laughing, Rosemary replied, "Yes, we're having a girl."

Elizabeth jumped from her seat and pulled Rosemary up to hug her. With their growing bellies in the way, they leaned forward and wrapped their arms around each other the best they could.

Watching this, Jack's smile slowly faded. Looking at the women's baby bumps side-by-side, he could clearly see that they were indeed almost the same size. His mind quickly went to the long labors and large babies that her sisters have had, instantly beginning to worry.

Leaning toward Jack, Lee asked, "You alright, Jack?"

"Hmm? Oh, yes, I'm fine," Jack leaned to him and patted his arm. "Congrats, Brother."

"Thanks, Jacko." Shaking his head, he continued, "This all seems so unreal."

"I know what you mean, Brother," Jack said, watching Elizabeth, a smile returning to his face. "I know exactly what you mean."

…..

October 12th, 2010 – Hope Meadows Ranch

After the dinner dishes were cleaned and put away, Jack sat in his office next to the nursery, and worked on some paperwork for this year's foals. After an hour of organizing registration papers, Jack leaned back in his chair, running his fingers through his thick, dark hair.

Needing a break, he stood to go knock on the nursery door.

"Yes?" She called out.

"Can I come in?"

"No, no, no. Wait."

Jack could hear a lid being hammered back onto a pail of paint and her feet walking across the plastic tarp that protected the carpet.

Opening the door just enough to peek out, she asked, "Can I help you?"

"I need a break from my paperwork and was checking to see if you wanted a break as well."

"Sure. Give me a minute, I'll be right down."

Jack was waiting in the kitchen, leaning against the island, when she walked down the stairs.

"Pool?" She asked, crossing the floor and wrapping her arms around his waist.

Jack leaned down and kissed her forehead. "Sure, I'm in the mood to get my ass kicked."

Laughing, Elizabeth took his hand and led him down the stairs into the basement.

With the balls racked, cue in hand, Elizabeth looked at Jack with a smirk on her face.

"What?"

"How about we make this interesting," she answered.

Looking at her sideways, he asked, intrigued, "Okay. And how might we do that?"

"Strip pool."

Eyes widened, a grin grew across Jack's face, "Strip pool, huh?" Nodding, he continued, "Okay, what are the rules?"

"Every ball I sink, you lose an article of clothing. Every ball you sink, I lose one."

"Sounds good to me," he replied, smiling. "You break."

Sinking the 9 ball on the break, Elizabeth turned to Jack, "There's one."

Jack bent down and removed one sock.

Then the 15 ball, followed by 11, 13, and 12.

Jack had removed his other sock, t-shirt, and belt.

"Keep going, Babe. Lose those jeans," Elizabeth said, grinning.

"This isn't quite fair. You haven't had to take off anything and I'm practically naked," he said, pulling the leg of his jeans off, standing in only his underwear.

"You probably shouldn't have let me break, I guess," she stood, smirking.

Lining up her next shot, a difficult combination, trying to land the 10 ball in the side pocket, she drew the cue back and fired, missing it.

"Ahhh! Finally, my turn," he said as he stepped up to the table.

"There's the 3 ball, lose it, Baby."

Elizabeth removed an earring.

"No, no, no. Jewelry does not count. Article of clothing."

"Okay," she said, removing a sock and grinning.

Jack lined up the 5 ball, sinking it easily. Standing up proudly, he stood and watched as she took off her second sock. Moving on to the 7 ball, then the 1, he sunk them both.

Elizabeth had removed her shirt and was working on her leggings.

Standing in front of each other, both only in their underwear, Elizabeth looked down and started laughing. "You need to get control of your beast."

Jack looked down and shrugged, "He has a mind of his own." Moving back to the table, checking out his options, searching for the easiest shot, he said, "2 ball in the corner pocket."

Eyeing the table, Elizabeth shook her head. "You won't get that one in," she teased.

Proving her wrong, he made his shot, straightened, and rested his hand on the cue. "Take it off, Baby."

Reaching behind her back, Elizabeth unfastened her bra, pulled it off, held up her hand and dropped the lacey fabric to the floor.

Jack let out a loud breath as his eyes scanned his wife's body. "We need to hurry this game along," he said as he lined up for his next shot, only to miss it.

Moving back to the table, Elizabeth sunk the 10 ball, then stood and looked at Jack, grinning.

Rolling his eyes, he pushed his blue and white striped boxer briefs off his hips and let them fall to the floor.

Eyeing his body now, Elizabeth grinned as Jack stood with his hands over his obvious erection.

"You might as well go ahead and finish the game so we can get this over with."

Elizabeth lined up the 14 ball, an easy shot for her, but missed.

"You did that on purpose," Jack said, crossing his arms, his hardened manhood in clear view now.

"I don't know what you're talking about," she replied with a look of innocence.

"Fine," he said as he stepped up to the table. Sinking the 4 ball in the side pocket, he turned to his wife, "Lose it."

Elizabeth, with provocative movements, pushed her red lace panties off her hips, slowly bending as she pushed them down her legs, keeping her eyes on him.

Tossing the stick onto the table, Jack moved swiftly to his wife, grabbing her around the waist, and pulled her body against his. Without stopping, he half carried, half pushed her to the couch, lowering her onto it.

…..

October 14th, 2010 – Hope Meadows Ranch

Elizabeth shot straight up in bed, holding her stomach. Remaining perfectly still, she waited for it to happen again, her hand laying on top of her baby bump.

Wiping his eyes, Jack sat up, "What is it? Is something wrong?"

"I don't think so. I felt something though."

"What?"

"I don't know." Gasping, she looked down at her stomach. "There it is again."

Feeling concerned, he scooted closer to her, "What is it?"

"I think I'm feeling the baby move."

"What? Really?" Jack laid his hand on her stomach, waiting. "I don't feel anything."

"There. I felt it again."

"Still nothing."

"I don't think you'll be able to feel it for a little while."

"Well, I'm jealous," he replied, making his best pouty lip.

Giggling, Elizabeth pushed him back into his pillow, laying down beside him, and draped her arms across his chest. Pressing her lips against his firm peck, she worked her way up to his lips.

"Still jealous?"

"Nope," he replied, pulling her back to his lips.

…..

October 16th, 2010 – Mid-State Rodeo

"This is our biggest one yet, Jacko," Lee said as they rode their horses into the arena.

"Yep, it's do or die here, Brother. Do you think we got this?"

"Absolutely. All the hours we put in at your place these past few weeks. I think we're ready."

Jack searched the stands, looking for the only faces he cared about. Finding them, he smiled and tipped his hat. Frank and Tom returned the gesture while Elizabeth, Charlotte, Sam and Rosie each waved.

Jack closed his eyes, breathing in the dusty air, listening to the sounds of the crowd cheering, the leather squeaking, and the announcer introducing the next riders.

"Are you ready?" Lee asked, moving Cisco closer to Jake.

Jack opened his eyes and looked at Lee, "Ready as I'll ever be."

With their horses backed in, Jack and Lee could both feel them tense up and ready to bolt with their first queue.

The steer was released and both horses pushed out as hard as they could, running at full speed. Two seconds after the release, Lee had the steer's horns roped and was pulling him to the side as Jack let go of his rope. Both hind legs captured, Lee spun his horse around, facing Jack, the clock stopped.

Roars could be heard from the stands as Jack and Lee simultaneously looked at the clock. 4.8 seconds.

"Yes!" Lee shouted, pumping his arm into the air.

A broad smile filled Jack's face as he watched Lee celebrate their achievement. Turning toward their family, Jack could see them all on their feet, clapping and shouting for them.

Once the steer was set loose from their ropes, Jack and Lee rolled their lariats up as they exited the arena to more congratulatory comments from their colleagues.

With the final placings announced, Jack and Lee finished in second place.

"I think I'm more excited about this second-place win than I was with any of my first-place wins in bull riding," Jack said to Lee as they led their horses out to the trailer.

"I feel the same way," Lee replied, petting Cisco on the neck as they walked.

…..

October 20th, 2010 – Hope Meadows Ranch

While lying in bed one evening, Elizabeth wrapped her arms around Jack's neck as he moved his arms around her waist. Burying his face into the front of her neck, he pulled her to him, her growing belly against his abs as their legs intertwined.

Elizabeth ran her fingers through Jack's hair, tipping her head back as Jack kissed her throat. Wearing only thin shirts and shorts, they could feel each other's body heat that was growing more intense with each second.

As Jack pulled his head back, Elizabeth ran her hand along his rough stubble that he kept on his face for her.

"Have I told you that I love this?" She asked, kissing his chin and brushing her knuckles across the course hair.

Chuckling, Jack answered, "Yes, a few times."

Sliding down the bed, Jack lifted the bottom of her shirt, revealing her slightly swollen belly. Wrapping his arms around her thighs, he pressed his ear to her stomach.

Giggling, Elizabeth asked, "Hear anything?"

"Oh yes, I hear our baby. What's that? Oh, really? I will let her know."

Laughing now, Elizabeth rolled onto her back as Jack moved up, stopping with his face above hers.

"What did our baby have to say?"

"He said that he loves you and he can't wait to meet you face to face."

"Oh, really," she laughed. "And...it's a he?"

"I don't know. Maybe," he grinned. "I'll be happy with either, as long as he or she looks like you."

"I think, if it's a boy, he'd be much better off looking like you."

Rolling onto his back, Jack pulled her over with him, resting her on his chest. Elizabeth began kissing him, moving her lips from his mouth, to his ear, to his neck, and back to his lips. Sitting up, she looked down grinning.

"Well, hello there," she exclaimed, pointing toward the bulge that had made an appearance in his shorts.

Wiggling his eyebrows, Jack replied, "He loves you, too."

"Oh my gosh, Jack!" Elizabeth exclaimed, laughing and smacking him on the arm.

…..

October 23rd, 2010 – Hope Meadows Ranch

"Okay, I'm ready," Elizabeth said, walking into the office where Jack was working.

Looking up from his paperwork, he asked, "Ready for what?"

"The nursery is done."

"That's good. You've been working hard on it. I wish you would've let me help you."

"You did help. You helped paint the walls grey and you helped put the furniture together and move it in."

Leaning back into his chair, he crossed his arms, "And then you took over a month ago and haven't let me in since."

"You can come in now," she replied, batting her eyes at him.

"Okay," he said, standing and moving around the desk, "let's go take a look at your latest masterpiece."

Elizabeth held her hands over Jack's eyes as they walked into the room. Removing them, she stepped back and waited for Jack's reaction.

"Beth, this is perfect." He slowly turned, taking in everything. "Hey, the furniture didn't look like that. You painted it, too?"

"Yes, the ends on the crib and the fronts of the drawers."

"This is beautiful, Elizabeth."

The grey walls now had white birch trees with yellow leaves. The ends of the white crib were now grey, a couple shades darker than the walls. The fronts of the drawers of the white dresser now had white, grey, turquoise and yellow diagonal stripes. Yellow floating shelves were home to several books they would soon be reading to their baby, a grey recliner sat in the corner and cute animal photos, framed in white mats and white frames, adorned the walls.

Jack wrapped his arms around her waist as they looked around the room, dreaming of the day that would soon arrive where their child would be asleep in the crib.