Elizabeth was looking at herself in the mirror getting ready for the big unveiling. Elizabeth had seen the house a few times while under construction. But Jack Jr. banned her from seeing the house after a certain point. Elizabeth smiled as she thought about Jack Jr. wanting to surprise her with this house. This is something his father did when he built the church and schoolhouse. She loved gestures where someone built something with their hands. The time and energy someone puts into building something shows how much they really care about her. Her thoughts drifted to Nathan who made the plaque that hung in the library. He did it as a thank you for helping Allie, but it was more than that. He took time to carve it, sand it and stain it. Elizabeth wondered where the Elizabeth who appreciated gifts from the heart. She went from that Elizabeth to someone who was impressed by superficial grand gestures. She was hoping Nathan would make the unveiling but Allie went into labor last night, so he probably won't make it. Elizabeth sighed. She would journal about this later. Today was Jack Jr.'s and her day.
As she got dressed, she thought about the gift she got Jack Jr. for building her house. Over the years, Jack Jr. saved his money. He took odd jobs. Most of those jobs being dirty and break backing. But he saved his money and never spent on outrageous things. He would take the bus to work or catch a ride with a work friend. Elizabeth was thinking of a gift to give Jack Jr. as a thank you. She had remembered that she had some inheritance left over from when her parents passed. Jack Jr. wouldn't want this gift to be bought with Lucas's money. She decided to buy Jack Jr. a car. She bought him a Ford Pick-up truck. It is green, Jack Jr.'s favorite color. She couldn't wait to see his face.
When she was done getting ready, she went downstairs. Everyone was waiting for her. Jack Jr. was wearing nice pants with a collared shirt. Sophie was a wearing a summer dress. Rosemary and Lee were also dressed for the occasion.
"We look like we are going to christen a boat or something" Elizabeth said. Everyone laughed.
"It's a big day. We all wanted to look nice" Jack Jr. said
"I know. And appreciate it" Elizabeth said
Rosemary brought a blindfold out for Elizabeth. "We want to make sure this is a surprise so we are going to put this over your eyes" Rosemary said with excitement.
"Oh. My" Elizabeth said. Rosemary put the blindfold over Elizabeth's eyes. They guided Elizabeth to the car.
As they were driving, Elizabeth was got excited. The last time she had her own home was in the Hope Valley row houses. She couldn't wait to have her own place. She would have her own vegetable garden and maybe she could set up a space for writing.
The car stopped. They were here. They guided Elizabeth out of the car.
"Are you ready?" Jack Jr. asked
"Yes!" Elizabeth shouted
"Okay! 1-2-3" Jack Jr. shouted and took off her blindfold.
When Elizabeth took off her blindfold, she found the most beautiful house she had ever seen. It was a small cottage. It had a porch to sit on. The house had stone and wood as the foundation. Elizabeth eyes started to tear up.
"What do you think?" Jack Jr. asked
Elizabeth hugged Jack Jr. and kissed his cheek. "It's wonderful."
"Let's go see the inside" Jack Jr. suggested.
Elizabeth nodded. Jack Jr. opened the front door for Elizabeth. Elizabeth saw the inside. The house was beautiful outside but the inside was stunning. All of her furniture was arranged for her. The living was a perfect size with a fireplace. The ceilings weren't too high but it would keep the house cool in the summer and cozy in the winter. The kitchen and the dining room were a perfect size to cook and entertain guests. Elizabeth saw three rooms down the hall. One for her, a guest but what was the third room for?
"So you are probably wondering what the third room is for. It wasn't in the plans that I showed you, but it needed to be put in" Jack Jr. said opening the door.
There was a desk with a typewriter. The room was beautiful. The sun was coming in just right. And there were bookcases that she hadn't seen before but they were beautiful.
"Every good author needs a space for writing." Jack Jr. said
"It's wonderful." Elizabeth looked at the bookshelves. They were made with intricate cut outs. It looked like it had taken someone a long time to do the bookshelves.
"Where did you find the bookshelves? They're beautiful" Elizabeth asked
"Nathan made them. He wanted to give you a house warming present" Jack Jr. answered
Elizabeth smiled and tears streamed down her face.
"Thank you Jack" Elizabeth said to her son.
Jack Jr. took his mother's hand "Come on."
They went back outside where everyone was clapping. It was everyone who put in time to help Jack Jr. build her home.
"Thank you everyone. I feel so loved. This house is so beautiful. You all did a wonderful job" Elizabeth told the crowd.
After they were done clapping again, Elizabeth made an announcement.
"Now Jack, you aren't the only one who can give surprises." Elizabeth said
The crowd moved away from what they were hiding. The truck was reviled.
"As a thank you, I bought you a car" Elizabeth said
Jack Jr.'s face was stunned. He couldn't believe it.
He kissed his mother on the cheek and ran over to look at the car. Sophie ran after him. For the next half hour, Elizabeth thanked every person there. After the crowd had left, Elizabeth went back inside her house to her new writing room. She looked at the bookshelves again.
"Nathan, these are beautiful" Elizabeth said to herself out loud
"I'm glad you like them" It was Nathan standing in the doorway.
"Nathan?" Elizabeth said confusingly.
"I'm a Grandpa" Nathan said
Elizabeth smiled and went over and gave Nathan a hug "Congratulations"
"It's a boy. Nathan Robert Wolf. They'll call him Nate so it doesn't get confusing" Nathan said proudly.
"That's wonderful" Elizabeth said
There was a moment of silence. Elizabeth reached up and kissed Nathan's cheek. Nathan blushed. This was the second intimate contact since holding hands. Nathan didn't push her when it came to being intimate. He wanted her to be ready.
"Will you stay and enjoy my new house?" Elizabeth asked
"Of course. I couldn't think of anything better" Nathan said
"Good" Elizabeth said holding onto Nathan.
