Chapter 8
Meeting the Thornton's
Friday morning Jack calls Elizabeth and tells her that there has been a change in their plans. She's thinking something is wrong. She asks if their date is off? Are you calling it quits? Jack replies, no by no means . It's just I was thinking if you would like to have dinner with my parents instead? Jarrick would be there as well. Elizabeth contemplates on his question. He really wants me to meet his family. Who does that this early? Does he feel the same way I feel about him? Jack calls out and asks are you still there Beth? He had snapped her back out of her thoughts. She says, oh I'm sorry. I was lost in my thoughts. If your really ready for me to meet your family then yes I am. What time should I show up? Jack says, 6:00 pm but I'll pick you up. Ok, she said. They hung up. She thinks to herself that her last class just finished so she clocks out at 4:30 and drives home. She ran in and dropped her coat and boots at the door. Ran to her bathroom and starts her bath water. She walks back into her bedroom and tries to figure out what she was going to wear. She couldn't decide so she went back to her bath. She soaks for about 30 more minutes. She got out, dried off and wrapping the towel around her. Walked into her room. While standing and looking at her clothes, she wonders if she should dres or wear casual? She texts Jack.
E. Dress or casual?
J. Casual.
E. K thanks.
J. Your welcome.
She decided to go dress/casual. Dress jeans with her dress green top but she tucks it in her jeans instead of wearing it in the outside and her dark brown ankle boots. She sits down at her make up vanity and puts her make up on just right. She straightened her hair with the straight iron. She walks over to the full length mirror. She gazes and says perfect. She spritzed her lilac perfume and walks under to get just a hint of it not to over power with it. She walks out to the living room and gazes out the long back window. This was a scene she never got tired of seeing. This has got to be the most peaceful and beautiful place! The thanked God for bringing her here. About that time there was a knock on her front door. She walks over and opens the door. Jack walks in and is in awe! He tells her she looks beautiful tonight. Not that your not beautiful all the other times but extra beautiful tonight! She says thanks. He says shall we go? She picks up her coat and he says may I? She nods and hands him her coat. He helps her with it. She grabs her purse and keys. Drops them in her purse and out the door they went. Jack could see she was nervous. He touches his hand on hers and says it will be fine. Their just ordinary people just like me. Elizabeth gives him a slight nod. They pull up in his parents driveway. Elizabeth takes a deep breath then exhaled. He runs around and opens her door. He puts out his hand for her to take. She reaches and he helps her out of his car. They step up on the porch. She pulls back a little. He leans down and places a kiss on her cheek and says it will be ok. He opens the front door and edges her inside. Jarrick squeals daddy, runs up and jumps into Jacks arms. Jack catches him in mid air as usual. He says hi bud. I want you to me my friend Ms Elizabeth. Jarrick hides his face in Jack's neck but says hello. Jack turns back to Elizabeth and says Beth this is my parents, Tom and Charlotte. Charlotte catches the fact that he introduced her as Elizabeth to Jarrick so she said welcome,nice to meet you Elizabeth! Tommy comes around the corner from the kitchen. Elizabeth says hey Tommy. Tommy says hey Elizabeth. Charlotte spoke up and says you 2 know each other? Tommy says yeah mom we work together at the lodge. Jack set Jarrick down and took Elizabeth's coat, then took his off. He hung them in the coat closet. Jack took his boots off and set them by the front door. Elizabeth starts to bend and take hers off but Jack reaches for her elbow and shakes his head letting her know she didn't need to. She nods and stands up. Charlotte says that dinner will be done in about 10. Elizabeth asks if she could help with anything? Jack says no and reaches for her arm to follow him but Charlotte interrupts saying yes if you want to. Elizabeth pulls from Jack's soft gentle clutch and goes to help Charlotte in the kitchen. Jack plays with Jarrick until dinner. Tom and Tommy sits and watches them play. Charlotte says the dishes are on the table if you would like to set the table. Elizabeth starts setting the table when Charlotte asks, where did you meet Jack Elizabeth? Elizabeth says it was her first day at work when the avalanche happened. On the second day after we found the last skier it upset me because I had never seen a...dead...person ...before. I took off down the mountain. I had clocked out and went home. Jack came by my place to check on me. We've been spending time together ever since. Charlotte set the food on the table and yells for everyone to come to the table. Elizabeth stands and wait to find out where she sits. Tom sat at the head of the table. Charlotte sat to his right. Charlotte pulls out Jarrick's chair next to her. Jack pulls her chair out across from Jarrick. He sit on the end between her and Jarrick. Tommy sits between her and Tom. She looks around the table and sees the joy on Charlotte and Tom's face. Jarrick goes to reach for the food. Jack stops him in mid air. He says hold it. You know the blessing is asked first. Jarrick crosses his arms. Jack says excuse us please. He picks Jarrick up out of his seat and takes him back to the living room. Takes a seat in one of the chairs. Sets Jarrick on his lap and asks, what seems to be your problem bud? You know better than to act like that at the table. Jarrick just shrugs his shoulders and says I don't know. Jack says if you don't know how am I supposed to know? Jack asks if this is because of because of Elizabeth? Jarrick looks down at the floor. Jack raises his chin up to meet his eyes. Bud you know I love you. You are my number one and always will be. Son I really like Beth. I want you to like her too. She is very special to me. Jarrick asks, am I special to? He tells him very special as he brings him in for a hug. You are my son and always will be. Your happiness means the world to me. Jarrick asks, if I don't like her, will it be just be me and you? Jack looks at Jarrick and thinks real hard before he starts to speak. Jarrick I love you with all my heart and soul but there will be a woman in my life one day. So you really need to give Ms Elizabeth a chance. Can you do that for me? Don't just say you don't like her. Your probably find that you like her too. Jarrick says I will try daddy. Jarrick apologizes and hud hid dad's neck. Jack tells him that he has to apologize to his grand parents. Jarrick and Jack returns. Jarrick says, sorry Gammy, sorry Pops. They both nod to him. Everyone bows their head as Tom says grace. When he finished everyone says amen. Tom sliced the meat and put it on each plate as Charlotte passes them around the table. Jack fixes Jarrick's plate. Tells him now you can eat. Charlotte tells Jarrick that there is dessert if he cleans up his plate. Jarrick knew it was his favorite "ooooie goooie pie. He says yes ma'am with the biggest grin on his face! Everyone was silent as they were finishing up their dinner. Elizabeth breaks the ice with Jarrick by asking what is for dessert Jarrick? Everyone keeps eating, afraid what might come out of his mouth. Jarrick looks up at her with the biggest grin and says "oooie goooie pie! She smiles and says, that sounds good but I don't know what it is. I've never had that before. Jarrick says, I don't know what it is but it is my favorite Ms Elizabeth! Elizabeth says ok then it must really be good then. Jarrick says you will love it. It's the best. Everyone laughs at Jarrick's gesture. After dinner was done Charlotte excused herself to go make coffee to go with their dessert. While it was making Elizabeth helped clear the table. Charlotte says thank you. Elizabeth says your welcome! Charlotte gets the dessert plates down from the cabinet. Slices the pie. Elizabeth asks if everyone wants coffee? They all say yes please. Elizabeth gets 5 cups off the hooks. Pours coffee in them. Then she reaches back for a sixth cup, opens the fridge. Grabs the milk and pours milk in the sixth. Places it on the tray with the others. Carries the tray in and gives everyone their coffee. Then she gets to Jarrick and sets him a cup in front of him. Charlotte is watching her as she pours milk in the sixth cup. She follows her into the dining room. She watches as she hands Jarrick his cup of milk. She is amazed at how receptive she is towards Jarrick. Jarrick says thank you for the milk. I've never had milk in a coffee cup before. Elizabeth says we'll we're using the coffee cups so I figured you might want to look like everyone else. She tells him your welcome, Jarrick! Tom looks at Charlotte and gives an approval nod. They all noticed that Jack couldn't keep his eyes off of her. Charlotte gave everyone a their dessert plate. Jarrick starts smacking his lips in anticipation. Jack says, manners bud. Jarrick quickly apologized and starts to eat. Elizabeth looks at her dessert, takes a small taste. She looks at Jarrick and says your right Jarrick, it is the best dessert I've ever tasted. I think I've just found my new favorite dessert! Jarrick giggles and says I told you so! They all start laughing! Jack and Elizabeth cleans up the kitchen. Then joins everyone back in the living room. Charlotte asks Elizabeth where she was from? Elizabeth replies, Estes Park. Tom joins in and says that is a beautiful place. Elizabeth says it is but she just wanted a change. She says this place is just as beautiful. Tommy says it's a whole lot cheaper here than up there. Jack shot him a look. After visiting a bit Jack speaks up that they had better be heading out. It's getting pretty close to Jarrick's bedtime. He tells Jarrick to get his things together. Jarrick says yes sir. He puts all his things in his backpack. Elizabeth stands. Jack helps her with her coat on. Jarrick gets his coat on. Jacks puts his on and grabs Jarrick's backpack. Elizabeth tell Charlotte thanks for dinner. It was lovely. Nice to meet all of you. Tommy I'll see you at work on Monday. Jack opens the door and they left. Jack opens her car door before he put Jarrick in his booster seat. Elizabeth says thank you! Jack pulls up in Elizabeth's driveway, put the car in park. Gets out and opens her door. He walks her to her front door. Jack asks for her keys. He unlocks her door. She walks in and turns to him, thank you. I had a lovely time. Your family was really nice. I see where you get your looks. You look just like your dad. He says thanks. Jack reaches up and kisses her cheek and says he had a great time to. Thanks for coming. He says goodbye and turns to to go back to his car. He backs out of her driveway and
keeps going up the hill. Later Elizabeth texts Jack and says,
el
E. Tomorrow is Saturday. I don't have to work, do you?
She waits for a reply. Nothing came back. She lays her phone down and gets ready for bed. She goes into the bathroom, washing her face and brushes her teeth. She walks out, turns the light off. She walks over to her bed and climbs in. Not really tired she picks up her book and starts to read when a text comes in from Jack.
J. No. What do you have in mind?
E. I was wondering if you and Jarrick wanted to come spend the day with me here at the house? Say around noon?
J. Are you sure you want to put up with us that long?
E. Yes. I really want to get to know Jarrick. I can't very well do that for a couple of hours here and there.
J. Then it's a date! See you then!
E. See you then! Good night Jack!
J. Good night Beth!
Elizabeth get up early the next morning. Gets her shower. Puts her makeup on and gets dressed. She goes down to the toy store to get Jarrick a few games for Jarrick. She gets chutes and ladders, crazy 8 cards, coloring books, crayons, colored pencils, sketch pad, and hungry hungry hippo. She makes her purchases. Gets back home just in time to start lunch. She makes creamy tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches. She puts the hot cocoa. Everything was almost ready when there was a knock on the door. Elizabeth hollers for them to come in. She says she in the kitchen. Jack and Jarrick walked in and followed her voice to the kitchen. She tells them that they can hang their coats in the coat closet just inside the door. Jack helps Jarrick out of his coat. Takes his off and hangs them up in the closet. Jarrick says something smells good. Elizabeth tells him it's grilled cheese, tomato soup and hot cocoa! Jarrick licks his lips and says yes ma'am! Elizabeth had already set the table. She tells them to get washed up for lunch while she puts it on the table. Jack says lets go bud. They head to the bathroom, wash their face and hands. When they get back out to the dining room he watches Elizabeth put the soup and sandwiches on the table. He asks if he could help with anything? She tells him he can grab the mugs from the bar and set them on the table. He asks where do you want us to sit? She motioned for Jack to set at the head and Jarrick on his left. He pulls Jarrick's chair out for him then reaches to pull Elizabeth's chair out. She sits down. Then Jack sits down. She reaches for Jack's hand and for Jarrick's. She asks Jack to say the blessing. He asks are you sure? She nods. Jack smiles and says, kind Heavenly Father we thank you for everything that you have done for us. We thank you for each other. We ask that you bless this food for the nourishment of our bodies. Bless the person that made it. In Jesus name. Amen. Elizabeth pushed the soup tureen to Jack. He fills Jarrick's bowl. He places 2 triangle sandwiches oh his plate. Elizabeth motioned for him to fill his. He slides it to her when he is finished. He picks up 2 sandwiches and put them on his plate. Elizabeth does the same. They sit in silence. Jack smiled at her and whispers this is nice. She nods agreeing. After lunch Jack and Elizabeth gets up and clears the table. They clean up the kitchen. Before the could get to the kitchen they hear a squeal. They both run in to see what the matter was with Jarrick. He looks up at Elizabeth and asks are these for me? They see the joy on Jarrick's face. She replies, yes they are! He says these are all my favorite. How did you know? Elizabeth says I just guessed. He says he wants to play hippo first. Jack says let us finish up the kitchen and we'll play ok bud? Jarrick says yes sir and bends down and picks up the color books and crayons. He colors while they finish up the kitchen. Jack tells her that she didn't have to do that. She told him that she wanted him to have something to do while he was here. She wanted him to feel welcomed. Jack says, you are so amazing! He kisses her soft and gentle and says thank you for making him feel at home. When they finished the kitchen, they came in the living room and sat down with Jarrick. They played everything he had. They enjoyed the whole afternoon together. About 3:00 Elizabeth asks Jarrick to go get his coat on. Jack gives her a questionable look. She smiles and just nods. They get their coats on and Elizabeth opens the back door and tells them to come on it's alright. She takes Jarrick's hand and leads him off the porch to the backyard. She leads him down the steps. She turns around and falls in the snow flapping her arms up and down. She starts moving her legs back and forth. She gets up and shows him the angel that she made. Asks him if he wants to try it? Jarrick turns back to Jack as if to ask if it's ok? Jack nods. Jarrick takes Elizabeth's hand and she turns him around. She says alright just fall backwards. Move your arms just like I did. He moves his arms and legs just like she had told him. She says now get up very carefully aped turn around and look at your angel. He gets up looks down at it and says look daddy what I made? Jack tells him that he done a good job! Jack watches in amazement! He loves what he is seeing! The joy on his son's face he has never seen before. He looks to Heaven and says, Jenny honey he's so happy. I know that you will always look out for us but we are going to be just fine honey! I love you and always will.i truly hope you approve. She's the one honey! Goodbye honey. Then Elizabeth asks him if he wants to make a giant snowman? He says you bet! They start rolling snow balls around the yard until they weren't strong enough to roll them anymore. Jack asks if they would like some help? They giggle out of breath but shake their heads yes. Jack picks up one and sets it on the bottom layer. They he picks up the third one and sets it on top. Elizabeth goes in the house and brings out a hat, carrot, 5 black buttons, a hand full of black licorice for the mouth and a scarf. She hands the hat to Jarrick. He says I'm not tall enough. Jack says let me help you bud! He picks Jarrick up so he can set the hat on the top. While Jack is holding him Elizabeth hands him the 2 buttons for the eyes, the carrot for the nose, they laugh when she hands him the licorice for the mouth. She says, what that's all I had. She hands him the scarf and he wraps it around the snowman's neck. Jack puts him down. Elizabeth hand him the last 3 buttons for his belly. Jarrick puts them on and stands back with his hands on his hips and smiles. They all step back to look with smiles on their face! Jack says it's time to go warm up for a bit. Elizabeth hands the remote to Jarrick so he can watch tv. Jack and Elizabeth sit at the table. She says, it's only 6 days until Christmas. Do you want to go get a tree with me tomorrow? Jack yells to Jarrick , do you want to go help Ms Elizabeth get a tree tomorrow? He says yessss sir! Jack says it's getting late and it's time to go. They get ready to go. Jarrick go to run out the door. Jack grabs him and says wait a minute bud, what do you say to Ms Elizabeth? Jarrick hugs her and thanks for the best day ever! Out the door he goes. Jack and Elizabeth laugh! Jack grabs her and says, I love what I seen today! I stood on your porch and watched you with Jarrick. I talked to Jenny and then I said goodbye to her. You are what I want and need, Beth. Elizabeth tells him, he is all she needs and wants. They kiss long and tender. They pull apart with their forehead touching. They say goodbye
