December 15th, Kate's House

Thanks to Nathan's genius website designing, as soon as Jude and Gracie unlocked the front door to the house, people started coming in.

His lawyer friend, his accountant, his house manager, which happened to be his cousin Maddie, Jude's parents and Kylie and brother Ray along with Lee and Rosie, were there for the opening.

"Good morning, everyone!" they greeted with big smiles. "Welcome to Kate's House!"

"There are donuts and coffee or tea along the side there," Gracie announced.

Jude saw his parents standing over next to the door, reading the memorial plaque.

"In loving memory of Kathryn 'Kate' Alexandra Wyatt," it stated.

"Thanks for coming," he said quietly, knowing how hard this was for all of them. It was also wonderful to know that women like Kate would have a place to go that was safe.

They both turned and engulfed him in a hug. After a few moments they stepped back, tears rolling down their faces.

"We are so proud of you, Jude. So very proud," his mom told him, patting his cheek.

"Thank you, Mom."

Gracie came over and hugged all three of them and took his hand, giving him the support he needed. "If I could get everyone's attention," he said, clearing his throat.

After a brief moment, everyone quieted and looked at him.

"My sister Kate was my inspiration for this home. She passed away about three and a half years ago, killed by her abuser. Thankfully, she had left her baby daughter with my parents the day it happened, or she might have lost her life too. I opened this place to give people just like my sister and her daughter a safe place to go. Somewhere where they can live for up to 90 days, rent free. They will have food and free law advice and therapy. If there had been a place like this around here, maybe my sister would still be alive." His tears stopped him for a moment.

Gracie took over. "Let's all have a moment of silence for Kate and also for anyone you know that have been victims of domestic violence."

After a long moment, Jude cleared his throat again. "Thank you all for coming and supporting Kate's House today. Please take a card from the table before you leave. There is a phone number and our website listed on it. There will always be someone available to take calls, 24 hours a day. If you'd like to make a donation to help support our services, there is a link on our website as well."

Jude stepped away from everyone and hid in the bathroom, just for a long moment. He needed to collect his thoughts so that he wouldn't stand around crying the rest of the day.

He heard a knock on the door so he opened it. "Hey."

Gracie stepped in and shut the door. "You did it, Jude. You opened this wonderful place. Kate would be so proud of you!"

"Oh good grief, I'm trying not to cry, Gracie." She giggled and hugged him.

"Sorry. I'm so proud of you too."

"Thank you." He hugged her tighter and went to kiss her, but someone knocked on the door.

"Uncle Jude?" came the tiny voice.

"Come in, Kylie."

"Hi!" she said, waving at them.

"Hi."

"I gotta go potty," she told him.

He smiled. "Okay, honey bun." They walked out and waited outside the door, just in case she needed anything but she was fine.

"Nanna said you are going far away for a while," she mentioned, walking out of the bathroom a few minutes later.

"That's right."

"But you are coming back for me, right?"

"Of course we are, Kylie. Nanna is having surgery on her knee so I will be back for that."

"Poor Nanna."

"Yeah. Poor Nanna for sure."

Gracie stopped him and gave him a kiss. "Love you."

"Love you too."

The very next week, Jake, Tara, Gracie and Jude hopped on a plane to fly to England. Tara and Jake paid for first class so that Tara would be more comfortable, leaving Gracie and Jude in economy.

Gracie sent Elizabeth a text with a selfie of her and Jude before they took off. "On the plane. C U Soon!"

"Fly safe!" she sent back immediately.

"Cute picture."

"So…" Jude said, reaching for her hand.

"Yes?"

"Um, as far as sleeping arrangements at your mom's cottage…"

"She said that Nathan has a room for you at the Inn or you could sleep on the sofa."

"I don't really want to spend the money staying at an Inn. If it was just one day…"

"Oh, no. He said that you could stay for free. He isn't open for the holiday so he is offering the room."

"That's really nice of him. I guess that'll give me a chance to thank him for the website work."

"You thanked him, babe, but yes you can get to know him for sure."

Jude wasn't 100% sure that leaving Kate's House was a good idea after only being open for ten days, but his cousin Maddie was there and they only had one resident so far. Also, the Henderson PD was doing drive-bys multiple times daily to help out with the security aspect.

He leaned toward her and gave her a kiss. "Did I mention that I love that you call me babe?"

"No, but I'm glad."

It just seemed to fit him. He was adorable and all that but his heart was just perfect. He loved to take care of people he loved and that made her love him even more.

The two couples stood on the cottage porch and waited. "You're here!" she cried, embracing all four of them, even though she didn't even know Jude.

"Hi, Mom!" Gracie gave her an extra-long hug and kiss on the cheek. "This is Jude Wyatt. Babe, this is my mom, Elizabeth Thornton."

They all walked inside to chat since it was windy and raining outside. That's when Elizabeth saw Tara's baby bump. "Um, anything you want to tell me?"

"We are going to have a baby," Jake said quietly.

"In early June," Tara said, just as quietly.

Elizabeth took a breath and then greeted Jude. "It's nice to meet you, Jude. Any chance you can help my daughter lug her giant suitcase up to one of the guest rooms so I can speak with my son?"

"Sure thing, Mrs. Thornton."

"Thank you."

"Mom…." Jake began.

"Give me a moment, okay?" she said and hurried upstairs.

"Is she mad?" Tara whispered.

"I'm not sure." They waited by the door, almost like they needed to be ready to leave.

She returned a moment later and held out her necklace with Jack's ring. "Dad's ring?"

"Yes. I think he would love it if you'd wear it. Maybe someday soon?"

Jake hugged his mom, relieved that she wasn't angry. "We aren't engaged, Mom, but when we do get married, I'd love to wear his ring."

"You're not engaged?"

"No. Not yet."

She nodded. She needed a whiskey…except she rarely drank so she had none. She was going to be a grandmother at the age of 50, or 51 by then.

"It's a boy," Jake offered, hoping to get more of a pleasant reaction.

"A boy?"

"Yes. We found out yesterday."

"A boy," she whispered. She was going to have a grandson. That did it. She wrapped them both in her arms again and sniffled. "I love you. All three of you. It may not be the way I would have done the whole thing, but you aren't me."

"We love you too," they said, hugging her back.

"I will come back to Henderson right before the birth, if that's okay with you. I want to be there."

"We'd love that, Mom," Jake told her.

Gracie and Jude sat on the bed, waiting what they hoped was sufficient time before they headed downstairs. "I should take my bag to the Inn. Want to come with me?"

"Sure."

They came down the stairs and didn't hear yelling or crying so that was a good sign in Gracie's book.

"Mom?"

"Hey, sweetie. Would you like some coffee?"

"Sure, but I'm just going to head to the inn with Jude first and then I'll be back."

"Why don't we all go?"

"I bet you want to see Nathan, don't you?"

Elizabeth blushed. "Stop teasing your mother. I just thought I'd show you where it is."

"It's next door. I'm pretty sure we can find it." Then she whispered loud to Jude, "She just wants to see Nathan."

Jude laughed and the three of them headed over while Jake and Tara got some rest in the other guest room.

"Elizabeth!" Kingston yelled from the yard where he was running around in the rain with Maverick.

"Hey, bud! Come here a minute."

He and the dog ran over. "Hi! I'm Kingston."

"Hey. I'm Gracie, Elizabeth's daughter and this is Jude."

"Are you her boyfriend?" he asked, tilting his head.

"Yes I am," Jude laughed.

"Nice to meet you and you too, Gracie."

Gracie smiled. "You too."

"Dad's inside, Elizabeth."

"Thanks, bud."

The three of them walked inside and King went back to keeping the dog busy.

"Nathan?"

He appeared in the doorway and then walked over, giving her a hug. "Hey."

"Awww," Gracie giggled.

"This silly woman next to me is my daughter, Gracie. This is Jude, her boyfriend."

Nathan kept one arm around Elizabeth and shook both of their hands. "It's great to meet you. Both of you. How's that website working out, Jude?"

"Perfectly. Thank you so much again for helping out with that."

"My job. Happy to help a great cause."

"He's cute," Gracie whispered to her mom.

"I know," she whispered back.

Nathan took Jude upstairs to his room leaving Elizabeth and Gracie in the kitchen. "So this is where you cook?"

"Yeah. This is it."

"I love it. The country feel of it but still updated. Must be fun to hang out here every day, not to mention getting to see Nathan and Kingston."

"Yeah. It's a good thing."

"Are you happy here, Mom?"

"Yes I am."

"I'm glad."

"What about you, Gracie? Does Jude make you happy?"

"He does. He told me he loved me at the Hoover Dam."

"Do you love him?"

"Yes. I love him and everything he is passionate about."

"Like what?"

"I'll let him tell you."

"I'll tell what?" he asked as the two men walked back to them.

"Tell her about Kate's House, babe and Kylie."

"I can make some coffee or tea," Nathan offered. "I'd like to hear more about it too."

Cottage guest room

"This bed is so comfortable," Tara told Jake. "I really don't want to get up."

"So don't." He snuggled up behind her and closed his eyes.

"I really need to pee though." She gently moved his arm from around her and sat on the edge of the bed. "I'll be back."

"Maybe we can walk into town later," he suggested. "Get some food at the pub?"

"Sure, love. Later will be good."

She walked out the door and down the short hallway to the bathroom they were sharing with Gracie. When she came back out, Elizabeth was coming up the stairs. "Hi."

"Hi, Tara."

Elizabeth walked up and smiled. "May I?" she asked, holding her hands above Tara's belly.

"Of course."

Elizabeth immediately teared up. "A boy? Have you thought of any names?"

"No, except Jake wants to somehow incorporate Jack into the name. I am not sure how but I'd also like my dad's name in there too."

"I'm sure you will figure it out."

"Elizabeth, I just want to make sure that you and I…that we are okay. I know that we surprised you with the news of moving in together and now this and I just want to make sure that you are okay with everything."

"It did surprise me but I'm okay with it. You are good to my son and you are doing this incredibly hard thing together. That's what's important."

She wished her own father felt that way. "I'm glad."

"How did your parents take the news?" Elizabeth asked.

"My dad…he didn't take it well. My mom said to give him time."

"Are you close? You and your dad?"

"Yes and I know that I made choices that they don't agree with. It's hard to know I've disappointed them."

"Maybe your mom is right. Maybe he does need time to process it."

"Yeah, maybe."

Elizabeth gave her a hug and then walked into her master bedroom while Tara rejoined Jake.

Jude held Gracie's hand as they wandered down the road toward the water. It was chilly but it had stopped raining so they decided to take advantage and go see some of the sights.

"Look, babe! There's a lighthouse down there." She pointed and he nodded. "Let's go down there."

"Sure. I've always wanted to see a lighthouse."

It was farther away than they thought but they eventually got there. They took a few pictures and a selfie and then climbed the stairs into the room with all the windows.

"Wow, you can see so far up here," he mentioned. "It's beautiful."

"Yeah it is." She wrapped her arms around his waist and watched the waves as they crashed against the rocks. "Pretty romantic too."

"Is that cue for me to kiss you?" he asked, his lips mere centimeters from hers when he turned

"You are so smart."

"Thank you!"

She moved her arms up and over his shoulders, taking the initiative herself.

"Gracie?"

"Hm?" she asked, her lips on his.

He pulled back and looked in her green eyes. "Nevermind."

"Okay," she sighed, kissing him again. It was a perfect moment, in a perfect place and she was so happy she was sharing it with him.