Chapter 9

Christmas- part 1

Elizabeth woke up early, showered, and dressed. Had her coffee before Jack and Jarrick arrived. They got there about 9:00 am. Elizabeth met them outside. She tossed Jack her keys and said we'd have to take her SUV. He says let me get Jarrick's booster. She stops him and tells him hers had booster seats built in. Jack replies, why do you have a SUV with booster seats? She said all the new ones come with them. She showed him how the just fold down from the middle of each seat. He says wow, did you prepare for the future? Elizabeth says not really, I just like this SUV. Jack opens her door and lets her get in while Jarrick hops in. Jack buckled him in. Went around and got in the driver's side. He says boy this is nice! It's like family time! Elizabeth says that sounds nice! She says get use to it! I'm right where I want to be. They go to the tree farm. Jack unbuckled Jarrick and he jumps out. He starts to take off running but Elizabeth suggests that they stay close together so they can pick out the tree together. Jack agrees. They walk all around looking when all of a sudden Jarrick spots it! Elizabeth says lets take a selfie in front of out tree. After they take the picture Jack chops it down. They get it loaded on top and get it tied down. Elizabeth tells him that they have to make a stop before taking he tree home. Jack says, is it a secret or what? Elizabeth says, head back downtown. Jack pulls out and starts driving back towards downtown. When they get in front of the Christmas shop, she says stop here. Jarrick get excited. They get out and go inside. Elizabeth tells them she needs decorations and a lot of them. She sends down to be level to Jarrick and tells him to go pick out the ornaments. He looks up at his dad, really? She smiles and says, yes. Jack tells her that she is in for it. You shouldn't have gave him free rain. She tells him it will be ok. Jarrick looks at all the ornaments while Jack and Elizabeth gets all the decorations and lights that she will need. Elizabeth looks up at Jack and asks about how tall the tree is? He replies about 7 feet. Ok, she said. Just want to make sure we have enough decorations. Oh we need a tree stand that hold water. Jack bends over and picks up one and says this should do. They walk over to Jarrick. He hasn't picked out the ornaments yet. They ask him, are you have trouble deciding on which ornaments you want? He says I don't know which ones you want. She bends down to him and tells him that she didn't ask him to pick the ones I want. I asked you to get the ones you wanted. Do you see what kind you want? He pointed to the trains. She tells him to go get them and make sure you get the whole set. He looks at his dad for help. I don't know what a full set is daddy. Jack tells him that he will help him. Jack shows him that a set means all that are different but the same size. I'll show you. See this box has 6 trains in it and this one has 6 in it but they are all different? Jack looks back at Elizabeth and says hey Beth, there are 10 different boxes to this set. She looks back to him and says that's fine. Jack picks up all 10 boxes. He takes them to the counter and sets them down. He comes back. Ok listen very carefully, we need 3 special ornaments. I want you to go pick out a very special one, she says. Jack asks for what? She picks one that says Aspen, Colorado. 2015. This is when I moved here and met you and Jarrick. Now you pick one that is special to you. He chooses a ski lodge for where I met you. Ok Jarrick your turn. He looks at all of them. He picks up an angel. She asked him what makes that special to you? My mommy is in Heaven with the angels. Jack starts to stop him but Elizabeth grabs his arm and shakes her head no. She bends down to him and tells him that if that's what is special to you then you get that one. Jack mouthed are you sure? She nods yes. They take everything to the counter. Elizabeth pays for her decorations. Jack smirks, did you leave anything in the store? She laughs and says, this is my first Christmas on my own. I don't have anything. He giggles and puts everything in the back of her SUV. Elizabeth buckles Jarrick in the booster. Jack smiles at the sight that is unfolding before his very eyes. He hurried around to open her door. She gets in and buckled her seat belt. He closes her door. Jack runs around and gets in and shuts his door. He asks where to now? She laughs and says home James, home! Once back at her home, everything was taken in. Jack and Elizabeth goes out to get the tree down from the top of her SUV. It takes both of them to carry it in the house. Jack asks where she wants it. She set the tree stand in front of the front window. He says perfect. He picks the tree up and set it in the tree stand while Elizabeth tightens the tree in place. She pours a quart of water in the stand to keep it moist. They start pulling out the decorations and she starts putting them all over the living room. Jarrick pulled out the special ones and asks where to theses go? She stops for a minute. She picks up hers, tells them to get theirs. Now put it anywhere on the tree you want them. Just don't put them in the same place. Jarrick looks at his dad for reassurance. Jack motions for him to go ahead. They al pick out a spot and hung them. Elizabeth lets Jarrick hang all the train ornaments. Jack pick him up to place them all around the top part where he couldn't reach. Finally after 2 hours all the decorations and candles were in place. Jack walks up behind her and put his arms around her waist pulling her into him. Whispers in her ear thank you for this day. You didn't have to do this for him. She whispers back, I know I didn't but I wanted to. Jarrick says, I'm getting hungry. Elizabeth ordered pizza. Jack says, I'll pay for the pizza. She says, that's fine. The pizza arrived 30 minutes later. They all sat at the table and ate. Jack says, I think it's time to go. Someone is getting tired. Elizabeth speaks up, it early yet. Why don't you put him down in the front bedroom? It's only 5:30. He can nap and we can spend some time together. Jacks looks at her and says are you sure? She nods and goes to the bedroom tp pull back the blankets. Jack lays him down. Jarrick closes his eyes and goes to sleep. They back out of the bedroom pulling the door almost shut. They head back to the kitchen. Elizabeth puts on a pot of coffee. They go back to the table to finish their dinner. Jack reaches and puts his hand on top of hers. He says, you are something else. Hey finished eating. Cleared the table but Elizabeth put the rest of the pizza in the oven just in case Jarrick was hungry when he woke up. She fixed them a cup of coffee and she asked him to join her on the back porch. Jack takes their coats from the closet. Helps Elizabeth with her. Puts his on and takes his coffee from her. They head out to the porch. Elizabeth stands next to the railing just gazing. He sets his coffee down, walks over to her and wraps his arms around her waist. She is so comfortable in his arms. He tells her she fits like a glove in his arms. Elizabeth exhales her breath that she didn't realize she was holding. She turns to face him. She stares into his eyes. She says, it may not be proper but I'm falling and falling fast. I know we haven't been together very long but I have these feelings that I've never felt before. Jack has the biggest grin on his face at this point. He leans in and kisses her with passion. They separate to breath. He looks at her and tells her he is falling fast and hard for her. She leans in and kisses him so passionately. Her heart is beating so fast that it feels like it is coming out of her chest! She pulls back to stop. She says, I have something that I have to tell you before this goes any farther. He steps back and looks at her. He says, should I sit or stand? She says, it don't matter. What I have to say won't take long but it may be a deal breakers or you. Jack rubs her arms, tells her that she can tell him anything. She blurts out I've never been with a man. He swallowed and says, you mean your a virgin? She shakes her head yes. I want to save myself for the man I married. Jack tells her that he thinks that's very admirable. I love the fact that you want to save yourself for marriage. I totally respect that and if that is what you want then that's what we'll do. And Beth...isn't not a deal breaker. I'm here, I'm not going anywhere. We are here now. We are together. Together we can get through anything. Elizabeth tells him that she's glad because he would be very hard to get over. They hug each other so tight. They kiss each other with soft and gentle kisses. Elizabeth pulls back and says, I'll be right back. Jack reaches for her arm. Where are you going? She kisses his cheek and says I want to go check on Jarrick. He's in a strange house and strange bed. He might wake up and be scared. He tells her that she will make a great mother one day! He says, we'll go together. He grabs her hand and leads her to the front bedroom. They push the door open to peak in. Jack says, he's not there. He panics. They go from room to room looking for him. Elizabeth goes to her room and looks in. She calls for Jack to come ther. She points to her bed. He looks in and on her bed was his son curled up in the middle of her bed hugging her pillow sound asleep. Tears flooding down his face. Some happy and some sad. Relieved he was safe. Elizabeth whispers he's home. Jack turns to her and says, what do you mean he's home? Jack think about it. He woke up to unfamiliar surroundings but found something familiar, my bed, my pillow. He hugs her tight. She pulls him back to the living room. Lets start a fire in the fireplace. After starting the fire they curl up on the couch. She asks Jack what she could Jarrick for Christmas? He says, you don't have to get him anything, Beth. She smacks him and tells him that he couldn't go through Christmas without something from her. He might think that I don't care about him. I don't want that to happen, Jack. He sees how much this meant to her. Ok he says. We'll go tomorrow beings the lodge is closed until the 26th. We have 4 more days until Christmas. Jarrick will be at my mom's tomorrow. Elizabeth agreed tomorrow they'd go Christmas shopping for Jarrick! Elizabeth lays her head down in Jack's lap. Staring at the flames of the fire. They talk a little while longer until they both fall asleep. Jack wakes up early the next morning, forgetting where he was . He blinks his eyes to get awake. He goes to get up and realizes Beth was still laying on his lap. He bends over and gently kisses her cheek. She softly moans. Rolls over and says good morning handsome! He smirks because she hasn't caught what happened yet. He bends over and kisses her again. Then she realized what had happened. She jumps up and said, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean for this to happen I swear. He gets up and stands in front of her. He says, it's alright Beth. Nothing happened except sleep. Don't worry about it. Jarrick is still asleep. We'll just have to be more careful from now on that's all. I don't think less of you, Beth. I could never think less of you. They embraced. He rubs her back until he feel her relax in his arms. They go check on Jarrick together. Fortunately he's still sleeping. Elizabeth goes into the guest bathroom to wash her face and hands. She comes out without her makeup on. Jack tells her she is just as beautiful without her makeup as she is with it on. She laughs and says, yeah right. She asks if they wanted breakfast? Jack says, I think we need to get home. Get him changed and to my mom's. Jack goes into Elizabeth's room and picks Jarrick up. He takes him out to his car and puts him in his booster seat without waking him up. Jack ran back in and put his hands on her face, pulling her into a soft and gentle kiss. I'll see you in a bit to go shopping for Jarrick's Christmas present, ok? We'll go to Abigail's for breakfast. Sounds like a plan she said. Oh by the way she asked, are you off or are you taking off? He replies, I switched shifts. I no I go in at 9:00 pm tonight. She nods ok. He grabs their stuff and out the door he went. Elizabeth went to her room. Grabbed a quick shower. Got dressed in casual/dress jeans, sweater, and ankle boots. She put her makeup on and was ready by the time he got back. She asked Jack if he wanted to take her SUV? He says it doesn't matter. She tosses him her keys. They get in, he reaches over and kisses her, good morning beautiful! She replies with good morning handsome! We spend one night together and now I'm handsome with the biggest smile! She lightly taps his shoulder. They pull into Abigail's. He gets out and runs around to open her door for her. He puts his hand out to her. She says, thank you! He opens the door to the cafe for her. She smiles and says, thank you! They head to their usual table, he pulls out her chair to sit. He sits across from her. Jack reaches across the table for her hand. She doesn't pull back. Abigail notices their hands as she walks up to take their order. She takes their order and motions for Jack to follow her back to the kitchen. He excuses himself and says I'll be right back! He followed her to the kitchen. What is it that you have to say that you can't say in front of Beth? Oh, so it's Beth now? Abigail asks, what is going on with you two? What's with the holding hands? I've been calling her Beth from almost from the start. She says I'm the only one that has ever called her Beth. As for the holding hands well it's just what it looks like. We are officially dating. Abigail squeals and hugs him. I knew the good Lord would send someone for you. That's what she said the Lord done for her! Abigail says it's been almost 5 years. Jack stops her and said, I told Jenny goodbye yesterday. Beth is the one, the only one. Beth says I'm that to her too! Abigail I'm falling so fast that I can't slow it down! I don't want to either! She told me first last night after Jarrick fell asleep. No we aren't doing anything. She wants to wait and I respect her for it. He gives her a big smile and turns around, goes back to their table. Elizabeth asks, what was that all about? Abigail asked we were officially dating because she saw us holding hands? I told her yes we were! Is it alright that I told her, he asked? Until you, she's the only girl friend I had. She's more like a big sister. Now your not a friend anymore, your my girlfriend now! Beth I have to be honest with you. I truly enjoyed waking up with you this morning even though we didn't do anything. Just waking up with you made me realize how much I missed. I'm not implying anything, just that I felt complete. Elizabeth says, if I'm being perfectly honest with myself, I felt the same way and I've never slept with anyone before! I'm not saying that I'm ready to move in together or anything like that. I mean we just met 3 weeks ago for God's sake. You just do something to me. Abigail brings their coffee and breakfast to them. She tells them to enjoy! When they finished, Jack paid the tab and they left.

The toy store was just down the street. They walked hand in hand to the toy store. Jack opens the door for her. Elizabeth asks if Jarrick has a train set? Jack tells her no because they don't have room in his small 2 bedroom house. She says why don't we get him one and you can set it up at my place in the 3rd bedroom or we could set it up in my shed out back? I don't use it for much. There is plenty of room out there. It's heated. You both can play with it when you come over. Are you sure you want to go to all that trouble Beth, he says? She replies, first off he isn't any trouble at all. Jack agrees. They head to the train section. She tells him that it has to be a Lionel brand. She finds just the one she wants. She points to the 10 car train set. Jack puts in the buggy. She looks at the back of the box. It's says it can hold 5 buildings, 10 people, 1 tunnel, RR crossing. He needs a table to put it on. She turns around and spots 2 engineer hats. She get 1 large and 1 small. They head to the checkout counter. Jack says, this is to much. She says nonsense it can be from both of us. He says, then I will pay half. Elizabeth puts half on her card and Jack puts the other half on his card. Jack says Jarrick is going to love this and the excitement is going to be unreal! She says I have to go around the corner for a minute. You go put all this in the SUV. I'll be right back. He tells her she didn't need to buy him anything. She said, I know I just need to pick something up. He sits in the SUV waiting on her to come back. She gets back to the SUV. He opens the door for her and asks, what did you do? She said nothing. They decided to go back to her place and go ahead and set it up. That way he could get to play with it as soon as he saw it. Jack was putting the table together when Elizabeth brought him a cup of coffee. He said, thanks babe! That made her smile. She bent down and gently kissed his cheek. He says, anymore of that and this won't get done.