Jack and Elizabeth walked hand in hand along the beach, letting the water lap up over their bare feet.

"So," she began. "What is it you wanted to talk to me about?"

He squeezed her hand and smiled. "Those three little words we shared."

"Which ones?"

"Oh, you know the ones." He grinned at her. Noticing the concerned look across her beautiful face he decided to spell it out for her. Counting each word with his fingers as he said them. "I. Love. You."

"Ah, those words." She stared down at the sand blushing. "Are you… sorry you said them?"

"Not at all. I've never said those words to anyone before. It was right, and I meant them."

"So did I." She squeezed his hand. "Just so you know, I've never said them to anyone either."

"Not even your college boyfriend? The one that wanted to propose?"

"No, not even him. He said it to me a number of times but it never seemed right to me. I've often wondered if that's why he wanted to propose so badly. To force us along."

Jack let out a small chuckle. "Glad it didn't work."

"He didn't stand a chance. I knew God had something better out there for me. Now that I've found it, I'm never letting go."

Jack pulled her in front of his body and kissed her deeply. Resting his forehead against hers, he whispered, "Neither will I." They walked a few more paces and found a dry place to sit. Jack sat down facing Elizabeth, holding her hands in his. "I just want to make sure we're on the same page. This relationship is a little tricky. We need to acknowledge that."

"You mean because we technically live on opposites sides of the country?"

"Exactly," he rolled his eyes and they laughed. "I want you to know, I'll do everything I can to make us work. I know I haven't done much to prove it the past week but…"

"Jack, don't. Don't be so hard on yourself. We agreed when we got together in this place that the original purpose we felt from God would remain our first priority. Me and my students, you and this village. I support your dedication. In fact, I love you for it."

What could he say to that? He had no words at first. Instead he leaned in for another long kiss.

"You're amazing, you know that?" She blushed at his words. Her cheeks matching the tint of the sky from the setting sun. She was absolutely breathtaking. "I'm in this for the long hall, Elizabeth. If you're willing."

"I am, Jack. Truly."

Finally, he felt relaxed again. He grabbed his bag. "Ready for your treat?"

"Of course! What is it?"

"Well, I felt like I had some making up to do for not being around as much lately."

"Jack…."

"I know, I know. But trust me, you'll like this." He pulled out a brown box that she recognized having come from the dining hall. He handed it to her. "Open it."

Carefully she opened the lid. "Jack! Is this what I think it is?"

"Why don't you take a bite and see for yourself."

She took the fork he offered and took a big bite out of the side of the little round cake looking dessert. She giggled and bounced from her perch in the sand as she watched the chocolate "lava" flow from the cake.

"It is! It's lava cake!"

"Your favorite."

"It is! How on earth did you get it here, of all places?"

"I have my ways."

"Please tell me!"

"Can't a man have his secrets?" She gave him a playful glare. "Alright. You win. I had Rosie send me a recipe back when you told me it was your favorite."

"Jack, that was four, almost five months ago, like when we first met."

He shrugged. "This morning after you left I gave it to Gloria in the kitchen and asked if she could help me. Looks like she did a great job."

"She did. Oh Jack, this is amazing." She closed her eyes savoring the tasty treat. "Here, you have to have some." She placed a large bite on the fork and brought it to his lips.

"Oh wow," Jack groaned. "That is crazy good!"

"Now you see why its my favorite?"

"I'm still partial to pies, but yes, this is great." As he looked over at her, he noticed a bit of chocolate on her chin. It made him wonder if this was how she looked as a kid on her birthdays. Simply adorable. She caught his grin and gave him a playful glare in return.

"What are you looking at, Thornton?"

"You." He ran his thumb over her chin. "You missed."

With a mischievous look, Elizabeth took a forkful of the chocolate lava and flung it at Jack, hitting him right on the cheek.

"Did I miss that time, Thornton?" She was a basket of giggles now.

"Oh, you'll pay for that," he teased. Both rose from their spots and began running down the beach. Elizabeth's laughter was like a songbird. Beautiful and perfectly in tune.

Catching up to her, he wrapped his arms around her waist and spun her around till they tumbled to the sand. They were still laughing as Elizabeth now hovered over Jack. She reached down to run her fingers through his hair.

"You're covered in sand now," she spoke softly, trying to catch her breath. With one quick shift, Jack rolled her over to her back. Now it was his turn to gaze down at her.

"It will wash out," he managed to say softly. His mind spinning as he took in the sight of her. Gently he brushed the loose curls off her face. He knew they should get up, but he couldn't. At this closeness, he could feel her every breath, feel her heart beating in her chest. It was mesmerizing.

Their lips soon found each other, smooth and slow at first, then growing in intensity. He rolled over again, taking her with him. His hand sliding beneath the light fabric of her shirt and up her back. Her breath caught in her throat at the feeling of his warm, strong hands moving on her bare skin. It was a feeling like none other she'd ever experienced. She wrapped her fingers through the belt loops over his hips, trying to pull him even closer.

Suddenly, as if a switch were flipped, they both stopped, pulled apart and stood in front of each other, trying to catch their breaths.

"Elizabeth, I'm sorry."

"No, its… I mean… I'm not complaining it's just…"

"I know. I wasn't planning on… not that it wasn't amazing but…" Running his fingers through his now very sandy hair he cleared his throat, regaining composure. "Elizabeth Thatcher, I promise you, you can trust me. I would never take advantage of you."

"I know, Jack. I wouldn't have let us go too much further either. I guess… I don't know. I just get lost with you."

"Yeah. I think that's what it was. Are you okay?"

"Very." A nervous laugh took over. "I guess we found our line in the sand. Literally and figuratively. You know, the point we shouldn't cross."

"Yeah. At least till we're married." Jack added, surprised by his boldness. His face morphed into sheer panic as he realized what he'd just implied.

To smooth things over, Elizabeth wrapped her arms around Jack waist, holding him close. "I like the sound of that. Married." She kissed his lips lightly, trying not to reignite the fire too much. "Whenever we're ready."

Jacks lips pressed firmly on her forehead. "You are really something, angel. I love you."

"I love you too, Jack." She kissed his cheek. "Should we walk back?"

"Sure. But I'm not ready to say goodnight to you just yet. Maybe we can find something to do in the common area or we could sit and talk on the porch for a little while?"

"You read my mind. I'm not ready to part either." She hugged his arm.

They decided to sit on the porch of the main building and watch the stars that were glittering across the sky. Jack took a seat on the landing without letting go of Elizabeth's hand. She sat on the step below, in between his legs, his arms wrapped around her, holding her securely.

"This is nice. I know it's not our spot, but," she giggled. "There's a little extra accountability here."

"Which is a good thing." He leaned down, kissing her cheek. "I'm crazy in love with you, angel."

"So am I, Jack."

"That thing I said earlier, about us being married?"

"Mhmm." Elizabeth smiled up at him.

"That's not the first time I've thought of it."

"Me either."

"I was thinking…" Before Jack could continue, a loud laughter coming from the open doorway of the common room stole their attention.

Elizabeth twisted her neck around trying to see. "Was that Carson and Faith?"

"Sounds like them. Come on, let's go see."

They walked over to the open door of the common area and sure enough, there sat their friends, each on their own floor pillows with a stack of board games between them.

"What's happening in here?" Jack teased, "We can hear you all the way on the front stoop."

Both Carson and Faith jumped, realizing they weren't alone anymore.

"Hey guys," Faith smiled. "We were about to play a game but somebody here keeps insisting we play Monopoly. I want to play Life instead."

"Monopoly is a solid game!" Carson defended his choice.

"So's Life! Elizabeth, be our tie breaker."

"No, she'll just side with you. Jack can do it."

"Are you kidding me?!" Faith laughed. A noise that had a way of stopping Carson's heart.

"Come on, Jack. You two should join us." Carson continued. "Monopoly or Life?"

"Tough choice… I think I'm gonna let Elizabeth answer that one." Carson groaned, he knew what game they'd be playing now.

"Life!" Elizabeth giggled as she and Faith immediately began setting it up.

"Way to back me up," he teased.

"What can I say, love does stuff to you, man." They laughed.

Jack took a seat nestled next to Elizabeth. It was clear to their friends that their relationship was progressing forward. Carson moved over to sit next to Faith, though not as close.

The four sat down and played The Game of Life for the for the next hour. Faith was only a little ways away from taking the lead back from Carson when Frank entered the room.

"I thought I might find you here," he said with a smile. "Elizabeth, you have a phone call in the office."

"A phone call? Is everything all right?"

Frank shrugged. "I think so. It's your father. Go ahead, you can take it in my office."

Jack and Elizabeth looked at each other with a worried gaze. This phone call could only be about one thing. She stood and hurried out of the room.

Faith noticed the worried look on Jack's face. "Try not to worry Jack. Mr. Thatcher seems scary but really he just loves his daughters."

"I respect that, but it doesn't mean he's going to like me."

"If not now, he will in time. Trust me. You're a perfect match for Elizabeth, anybody can see that."

"I hope you're right."

Elizabeth walked into Frank's office and took a seat in the chair. Taking a deep breath, she picked up the receiver of the old style cord phone and brought it to her ear.

"Hello?"

"Evening, Beth."

"Hi, Dad. How are you?"

"I'm well, thank you. Sorry I missed your call earlier."

"That's okay. Seems you managed to get a hold of me anyway."

"Yes. When I got home I heard you and your mother had a little chat. It seems you and I have some things to talk about."

"Oh yeah? What do you mean?" She played dumb, but knew full well this call was about Jack.

"Well, your mother suggested there may be a young man there that you have been spending a great deal of time with. Is this true?"

"Are you referring to Jack, Dad?"

"I believe I am."

"Then yes. We are spending a lot of time together. In fact... We are together." She heard Williams sigh on the other end of the phone. "Try not to worry, Dad. This isn't a bad thing, trust me."

"I'd like to, but Beth, I'm not so sure this is a good thing."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"First of all, I did not call to fight with you. I'm more trying to get some of the details straight. See, your mother seemed to think that you and this young man were rather serious about each other." William laughed. "But that just doesn't sound like you. If this is in fact the case and you and this young man do feel... something for one another, I just want to warn you not to get ahead of yourself."

"I'm not. I'm a grown woman who knows how to use her good judgment, Father. You can trust me."

"I hope so. Just remember you have a place here in Hartford. A life that's waiting for you."

"I have family in Hartford, but I haven't made any other commitments back home, you know that."

"Yes, but Beth, you're in Haiti to give yourself time to think about your future. About working at the academy, about your relationship with Trent."

"Trent has nothing to do with this trip. I came here because I felt called to teach! To be a teacher somewhere where I was needed. This isn't just some nothing trip or an excuse to find myself. I'm committed here for the whole year, maybe more. As far as the future after that is concerned, I don't know what that is yet. I'm leaving myself open for whatever the Lord has for me."

"Fine," he sighed, feeling like he was getting nowhere. "If you are there to teach, then teach, dear. Just don't allow yourself to be swept up in some fantasy. Your future is here. Not in Haiti. And in the meantime it might be wise not to get too attached to any passing ships."

"Jack's not a passing ship, Father. I love him. Truly. he's a good man and I hope one day you'll be able to meet him and see that for yourself."

"Beth, you don't know him."

"No, it's you who doesn't know him. I, on the other hand, do know him very well. In the short time that I've known him, he has become one of my best friends." She took a breath to calm the frustration rising inside her. "You've never doubted my judgment or character before. Why start now?"

"To be fair, you've never given me a reason to until now."

Elizabeth was fuming. She couldn't believe the complete and utter disrespect her father was showing for her and for Jack. There was so much on her mind to say but the last thing she was going to do was end the phone conversation in an all out argument.

"Try to understand, Beth. All I'm asking is that you take a few steps back from this person and truly think about where you see yourself when you return."

"I understand exactly what it is you're saying," she sighed. "It seems like maybe we're at an impasse. Maybe when I come home for Christmas I can talk to you a little bit more about Jack and my life here. Maybe it will make you feel a little more comfortable with the decisions I have made for my life."

"You promise me you'll think about what I've said?"

"It will be hard not to." She rolled her eyes. "I can't promise you'll like the conclusions I come up with though."

"Something for us to discuss another time, I suppose."

"I guess so."

Elizabeth sat on the line with her father for a few more moments but no one spoke. There was nothing really to say. She knew her father could be difficult. She'd seen it when it came to her sisters lives numerous times. But she'd always walk the line with him. Never disagreeing or doing anything that would appear to be disobedient. Until now, apparently.

"I suppose I should let you go, dear. Do keep your mother and I informed on life. We miss you."

"I miss you too, Dad. Have a good night."

"You too. I love you."

"Love you too."

She hang up the phone then rested her head on the top of Frank's desk. Nothing about that conversation went as she'd hoped. She wasn't even sure where to go from here.

Jack appeared in the doorway of Frank's office. He leaned against the side of the frame and watched her. He's heart sinking at her distress.

"You alright, angel?"

Slowly she lifted her head up off the desk. "I am now." She smiled. "Did Faith win?"

"Yeah, she did just after you left. Carson's still contesting it though." He walked over and squatted on the ground in front of her. "Your father is not very happy right now, is he?"

"He'll adjust," Elizabeth said with confidence.

"You really think so?"

She shrugged. "He doesn't have much of a choice." She raised her hand and ran it along Jack's cheek which was already a little prickly from the stubble that had grown that day. "I know the kind of man you are, Jack Thornton. You're the kind of man that I want to be with. His opinion doesn't change that, now or ever."

Jack smiled. "That is certainly comforting to hear." He took her hands in his. "I promise, Elizabeth, I will do my best to show him how much I love you and that my heart is true. I don't want our relationship to end up causing a rift between you and your family."

"He just needs to get used to the idea, that's all. If it's more than that... then the rift that gets created will not be of our making. But I will not kowtow to him." Elizabeth's voice was stern and strict. Jack tried to hide his grin as he wonder if Elizabeth got a little bit of her stubbornness from her father.

"Yes ma'am," Jack saluted with a grin. "Carson's out lighting the fire pit. What do you say we sit by the fire for a little while?"

The four of them sat by the fire talking about their past and dreams for the future as well as their favorite parts about living in Hope's Landing. Pastor Frank and a few other's soon joined them.

"You know what I just realized?" Frank began to speak. "It's almost Thanksgiving."

"It is!" Elizabeth exclaimed. "What do the people do around here for Thanksgiving?"

"Nothing, really." Frank answered. 'It's not a Haitian holiday."

"True." Elizabeth rested her head against Jack's shoulder, his arm wrapped securely around her. She'd never known a greater feeling then his closeness. "Maybe we should do something."

"Like what?" Carson asked from his spot next to Faith.

"I don't know. Maybe our own kind of Thanksgiving. We can make a dinner and show all the people of Hope's Landing how much we appreciate them."

"That's a great idea," said Frank.

"Yeah, that could be fun. We don't leave till the following Monday." Jack smiled down at his girlfriend.

For the next hour and a half, the group came up with a plan of action for Hope Landing's first ever Thanksgiving feast. Elizabeth and Faith would plan the meal and with Lynn's help they would cook everything in the kitchen, giving Gloria and the others a much deserved day off.

Jack and Carson wanted to try their hand in the kitchen too.

Frank decided to do a special Thanksgiving church service that night under the pavilion and asked Jack and Carson to lead worship. The two men were excited and begin planning which songs they would lead.

It was after midnight when the fire finally died down and everyone went their separate ways for the night. Jack walked Elizabeth and Faith to their room. When they reached the door, Faith said goodnight first giving Jack and Elizabeth a few moments alone.

"Are we okay?" Elizabeth asked, wrapping her arms around Jack's neck.

"We are. I can say I'm a little nervous about how your father feels right now. But we'll just take it day by day."

"I meant it when I told you I loved you, Jack. That I want a future with you. This changes nothing."

"I believe you," he said with a smile. Then leaning in, he gave her a tender, long kiss. One that filled her stomach with butterflies and made her toes tingle with delight. "I love you, angel. Sweet dreams."

"Sweet dreams, Jack. I love you too."

Carson was changed for bed and grabbing his text book off the nightstand when Jack entered their room. Just because he took a year off, didn't mean he wasn't studying. He immediately dove into the chapter about cardiac function, trying to ignore the look Jack was giving him from across the room. It wasn't work. He closed the book and tossed it at the foot of the bed.

"I know you want to say something," he spoke without looking up. "So whatever it is, go ahead and say it."

"Board games, huh?"

"I like playing games!"

"Sure." Jack laughed. "So… are things progressing between you two?"

"We're…"

"If you say 'friends' I'm gonna throw something at you." Jack shook his head, still smiling though. "You realize we're going back to the states in a week for a whole month right?"

"It's just a break. We'll all be back."

"That's the plan, but who knows." Jack pulled his chair over to sit next to Carson. "What if she goes back to Connecticut and some guy is there waiting for her?"

"She doesn't have anyone at home. She told me so."

"What if she does but doesn't realize it yet? Do you really think a girl like Faith doesn't have someone back home thinking of her?"

Aggravated, Carson stood up and began pacing the room. "What do you want me to do, Jack?"

Jack leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. "I want you to admit what's going on and stop avoiding your life."

"Why are you pushing this?" Carson asked, frustrated.

"You pushed me first, remember? And look how well that turned out for me. Come on, what do you have to lose?"

"My heart. Again."

"Maybe, but Carson, it might not be like that. I took a chance with Elizabeth and look at all I've gained. You can't blame me for wanting the same for you."

"I'm not you, Jack."

"And Faith is not Emma, Carson. She really cares about you. Emma was… it doesn't matter anymore. Just don't let her mistake keep hurting you."

Carson stopped and looked at his friend.

"You deserve better." Jack stood grabbing his shower caddy to head for a shower. As he reached for the doorknob, he turned back to look at Carson still standing there. "You deserve someone like Faith."

Back in the girls room, Faith sat with Elizabeth on her bed discussing the phone call from earlier.

"I can't believe he said all that!" Faith said bewildered. "I mean, I know your father is strict and he has all these ideas for how your life should be but still…"

"Honestly, I'm not that surprised. I just hoped for better."

"What are you going to do? I mean, how do you feel? You can't just cave! Trent was so… boring!"

"Oh I won't! I love Jack. I've never been so sure of anything other than coming here. Meeting Jack, falling in love with him… I know now more than ever that Trent and I were never right for each other. I look at Jack and I feel everything I know you're supposed to feel for someone you love."

"Butterflies?" Faith giggled.

"Swarms, and swarms of them."

"So what are you going to do?"

"I don't know. I've never crossed my father before. I wish Julie was here. She does it all the time. I'm sure she could give me loads of advice." They laughed.

"We'll you've got me, and you know Jack's not gonna let you go without a fight! He'll support you completely."

"He's got nothing to worry about! I'm completely his."