The Bradley International Airport in Hartford Connecticut was busy. Viola waited rather impatiently for her sister by the arrivals check point. Faith's parents were next to her, providing a nice conversation while she waited. The girl's connecting flight in Charlotte, North Carolina had been delayed over an hour for mechanical difficulties. Neither family was aware of this till they arrived at the airport.
Viola jumped from her seat when an alert on her phone vibrated in her hand. "They're here! The plane's finally here!"
Faith's parents, albeit calmer, were just as excited as Viola. They'd missed their daughter dearly.
On the plane, the intrepid travelers gathered their things, leaving their seats as tidy as possible while they waited their turn off the large aircraft.
"Get me off this plane!" Faith muttered. "I don't understand why we had to stay on the plane while they fixed it. Couldn't they have let us out to walk around or something?"
"Protocol, I guess. Plus it made it easier to just get going once everything was fixed."
"I guess you're right. I'm just cranky." She noticed Elizabeth studying her phone. "The guy's flight okay?"
"Yeah. They got off to a late start in Chicago. Weather or something." She showed Faith the little tracking app on her phone that showed the guy's plane as it flew over the country. "So when did you and Carson decided to visit one another?"
"We sort of didn't."
"No?"
She let out a regretful sigh as the line of passengers started to move forward, them along with it. "The way we talked, I know it's happening, just not when."
Elizabeth gave her a sympathetic glance. "It will happen, like you said. He's crazy about you."
"I'm definitely crazy about him. What about you and Jack? When's he coming?"
"It's not official but maybe two weeks. Before Christmas. He needs to get some hours in at the station, that's part of how he holds his job there with him being gone. After that he's hoping to take a few days to come for a short visit."
"Why not just go to him?" Faith asked as they stepped off the plane and headed down the tunnel to the concourse.
"I will, after. He wants to meet my family. In particular my dad."
Faith grabbed Elizabeth's arm. "He's going to ask for his blessing, isn't he? You could be engaged before we head back to Haiti?"
"Well we haven't officially discussed it, but it's possible I suppose." Faith squealed loudly. "Would you pipe down?" she laughed. "We're in public."
"I'm sorry, but news like that is not meant to be met with a quiet response!" She shook her head adamantly. "Elizabeth Thornton, that's a nice sounding name."
"Yes. It is." Elizabeth let out a large giggle at the thought of her future. Now she just had to figure out how to get through the next couple weeks and convince her father she was a capable adult who could make good choices.
"Hey, why the sour face all of a sudden?"
"My father."
"Your mom's in your corner right?"
"Thankfully, yes."
"Good. Let her work some magic. And maybe give your dad a couple days of you being home before you start gushing about Jack. Ease him into it."
"But I only have two weeks before Jack comes! Time is not on my side."
"But love is. Nothing is more powerful than that!"
"I hope you're right."
On the escalator heading towards baggage claim, Elizabeth pulled out her phone. Viola had texted her letting her know she was waiting for her. That made her smile. Last she saw Viola was at her wedding. Her and Charles had flown off to their honeymoon right after and not returned until after she left for Haiti. Elizabeth couldn't wait to see her.
Looking at the picture of her and Jack that graced the home screen of her phone, she decided to text him before things got too crazy.
"Miss you already. Made it to CT. I love you, Jack Thornton. Talk to you soon."
She stepped off the escalator and immediately began looking around for a familiar face. There were people everywhere.
"Beth!"
Elizabeth looked up and saw her sister, standing on a bench with her arms waving.
"You too Faith! Your mom and dad are right here!"
"Thanks Vi!" Faith yelled back. The two pushed through the crowd to get to their loved ones.
Faith was engulfed in a hug by both her parents. Tears streamed down her mother's angelic freckled face.
"We've missed you!"
"I've missed you guys too!"
Her dad took a step back, studying her. "You look different."
Faith shrugged. "I feel a little different."
Viola jumped down from the bench to hug her sister. "Welcome home!"
"Thanks! It's so good to see you!"
"You too! Look at you! So tan, and your hair, it's adorable. Longer and with all these natural highlights. You're gorgeous!"
She blushed. "I guess. But look at you! Marriage suits you."
"I do love it." Now Viola was blushing. "Enough about me. Let's get your bags and go grab some coffee. Dad's still at the office and Mom is home making a big welcome home dinner for you, but it's taking longer than she thought, so she asked me to stall."
"Aw, she didn't need to do that."
"Are you kidding? It's what's keeping her sane right now. Mom and Dad are so excited you're home." Viola laughed. "Come on, we have so much to catch up on!"
Elizabeth said goodbye to Faith and her parents after she had all her bags and headed out to the parking garage.
"This is mine." Viola stopped at small red SUV. She opened up the trunk and began loading up Elizabeth's things.
"When did you ditch the Mercedes?" Elizabeth said with glee. Her sister had always wanted a sporty SUV.
"Charles and I went and traded it in after our honeymoon. That car was never me. It was the car Dad wanted me to drive. Once I was married I didn't see the point in pretending anymore."
"How'd he take it? Dad, I mean. "
"Fine. Though I think he wanted to say more than he did. But I'm a married women now. He doesn't get a say. Frankly, he didn't have much of say before. I just let it go because it wasn't worth the fight."
Elizabeth let her sister's words sink on as she climbed into the car.
During the 15 minutes it took to get from the airport to Elizabeth's favorite coffee shop, they talked about the trip, the delay and a few other random things. Nothing too deep. That was until they were seated in a comfy booth in the back of the shop.
"Now, tell me everything! And I'm not talking about the version you'll give Mom and Dad or the church during your presentation. I'm talking the real EVERYTHING!"
Elizabeth let out a small laugh. She had missed her sister time. "Are you talking about this kind of everything?" She turned her phone around to show the picture of her and Jack together on the beach.
"Yes!" Viola snatched the phone out of her sister's hands. "Wow, okay the picture I saw didn't do him justice."
"What do you mean? Jack doesn't take a bad picture." She took the phone back.
"I didn't say it was bad, just that here with his shirt off… much better." She wiggled her eyebrows.
"Excuse me? Aren't you married?"
"Yes, and very happily I might add. Charles is an amazing husband. This excitement is all for you, dear sister." She smiled at Elizabeth but noticed her eye's fixed on her phone. "What are you doing?"
"Tracking Jack's flight. He's still in the air. See?"
"Wow, you've really got it bad for this guy."
"I do." She giggled.
"What do you see happening for you two? I mean, you won't be working in Haiti forever and currently your lives aren't even on the same side of the country. What's the plan?"
"We're taking our time, but we're working that out."
Viola's phone buzzed. "Mom says she's ready for us to head to the house."
"Alright." Elizabeth grabbed her jacket to go.
"Hold on, there's something I need to give you first." Vi reached into her purse and pulled out an envelope and handed it to her sister.
"What is this?"
"It's from Trent. He asked me to give this to you when we saw him at Thanksgiving."
"Why did you see him at Thanksgiving?"
"His family was invited. It was odd though, Mom didn't seem to know at first."
Elizabeth took the envelope in her hands, staring back and forth between her sister and the letter.
"Why are you giving this to me now?"
"I promised I would. I figured this way no one else, i.e. Mom and Dad know about it. You can read it and drop it in the trash over there for all I care. End of story."
"You're not pushing me towards him?"
"Gosh no! I never thought he was right for you. Not that he's a bad guy. You just never had the spark between you."
A harsh breath escaped Elizabeth's lips. "I don't want to deal with this. Not now. Not the same day I've said goodbye to Jack."
"Then wait, but at least you have the letter now and you can figure out what to do with it." Elizabeth nodded. "So now tell me all about Jack. Julie's gotten all the info and that sneak isn't talking much, so spill!"
"He's wonderful. I love him completely." Elizabeth slowly sipped her coffee. "Actually, I could use your advice about something."
"Ask me anything."
"It's about Dad."
"Ah."
"You probably know where this is going. Dad doesn't like Jack. He's never met him but he doesn't like him."
"He wants you with Trent."
"And only Trent apparently."
"That sounds like Dad. He's a man with many opinions."
"How did you stand this? I mean, what do I do here? I'm worried Dad's going to put me in a position where I have to choose between him and Jack."
"I understand."
"You were lucky. Dad loved Charles."
"He did. That part of my life played well into his plans. But that's not why I married Charles. I married him because I loved him."
"But what would you have done if Dad hadn't approved?"
Viola smiled. "I would have married him anyway."
"I want Dad to like him. There's no earthly reason for him not to. Jack is smart, funny, hard working. Most importantly, he loves me, and I love him."
"Then don't let him push you around."
"But we always have! Except for maybe Julie and look at that relationship…"
"Trust me, I get it. Look you asked how I did it. Mostly it was just the little things. Like my car for example. Sure I wanted a cute little SUV, but growing up, I always drove whatever Dad told me to. I figured, he was the one paying for the car, the insurance, I never had to worry about a single repair, why not play his game."
Elizabeth nodded, following along.
"When it came to my major, Dad had no input, that was all me. So again I thought, why not let him fuss over the minor details?"
"You're a doctor that delivers babies for a living. How could he not support that?" Elizabeth smiled.
"He supports you being a teacher, even in Haiti."
"He does, but he also wants me to come home as soon as possible and work at Chilton Academy."
"Oh goodness, you'd hate that. The only point of you being a teacher was to help. To be a good teacher for all, not just those who could afford it."
"Exactly. That's a discussion for another time though." Elizabeth finished her coffee. "Let's get home, have this dinner and we can continue this conversation in the car."
"Sounds good. Just for the record though, Charlie and I, are on your side. Mom too."
"You don't know Jack either."
"No, but I know you. That's all I need to know."
…..
Jack and Carson walked through Seattle–Tacoma International Airport. Both tired and ready for their traveling to be over for a bit.
As soon as the guy's plane landed and the captain gave the passengers permission to use their phones, Jack immediately texted Elizabeth.
"I miss you too. Landed safe and sound. Love you, Elizabeth Thatcher."
It didn't take long for him to get a response.
"Phew. I feel better now."
Jack couldn't help but smile.
"Were you worried?"
"A little. I miss you."
"I miss you. How's it going?"
"Fine. Family dinner with Mom, Dad, Vi and Charles. Julie's at college still."
"Going well?"
"Yeah. What about you?"
Jack looked up as the passengers in front of him began to disembark.
"Getting off the plane now. I don't know what Mom and Rosie have planned."
"I'll let you go then. Talk later?"
"You can count on it. I'll call you, okay?"
"Okay."
"Love you."
"Love you too."
Jack slipped his phone back in his jacket pocket and followed Carson off the plane.
"So, how's she doing?" Carson grinned at his friend.
"She's doing okay. How's Faith?"
"Not bad. She sent me a selfie picture of her with her parents. See?"
Jack looked at the picture. "Wow, Faith looks so much like her mom!"
"I know right?" Carson put his phone way. "I told her we'd skype tonight before she goes to bed."
"Good plan. I meant to ask, when are you going out to see her?"
"I don't know. I have a few thoughts."
They hurried down to baggage claim. Rosie had messaged that she and Charlotte were there waiting. She had told Jack to hurry, apparently Charlotte was getting antsy.
In the baggage claim area, Carson stretched his tall neck to see over the crowds. Four other flights had arrived at the same time making the area overflow with people. "See anyone?"
"Not a soul. You'd think Rosie would be easy to…"
"Yoohoo!" A familiar voice rang out above the crowd.
Jack followed the noise. "Nevermind, look."
Standing on top of a bench with her light brown hair swishing around as she waved her arms about was Jack's sister.
Carson slapped Jack on the shoulder. "My parents are over there. Talk later, man."
"Yeah, see you later." Jack headed over towards his family as Carson did his.
"Jack! Mom, he's here!" Rosie stepped off the bench and ran through the sea of people to embrace her brother, hugging him so hard Jack almost lost his footing.
"Hey, Rosie. Miss me much?" Jack teased.
"Are you kidding? Give me another hug, you dork!"
Jack laughed and hugged his younger sister tight, lifting her slightly up off the ground. "I missed you too, goofy."
Charlotte stood a couple feet back smiling from ear to ear. It was good for her heart to see two of her kids happy and well. She needed this.
"Hey, Mom," Jack smiled his boyish grin at her. "You miss me too?"
"You know better than to ask me that. Come here, son!" Tears came from her eyes as she held him. "So good to see you Jack."
"You too, Mom. I've missed you."
Charlotte rubbed the back of her hand over the stubble that had developed since the day before. "What does Lizzie say about your scruffy man look?"
"Elizabeth?" Jack ran his hand over his jaw. "She didn't really say anything."
"I can't handle it when Lee forgets to shave." Rosie shivered. "Though, Elizabeth may be more patient."
"Than you? She definitely is."
Rosie playfully slapped Jack's arm.
"Enough you two," Charlotte laughed. "Come on. Jack, you must be hungry."
"I could eat."
"Well good. We have a nice meal ahead of us and before you get nervous, I didn't cook any of it."
Jack and Rosie exchanged amused looks. "Sounds great, Mom."
…..
Charlotte pulled her car to the curb of Jack's apartment building. He lived on the 4th floor of the building. Their aunt Abigail, their dads younger sister, ran a cafe on the first floor. It was a great arrangement for Jack. Whenever he'd come home late from a shift, all he had to do was go down and order something delicious from the cafe. No cooking required.
"Are we doing dinner here tonight?" Jack asked.
"We are. Your Aunt Abigail went all out at the cafe for your return."
"Seriously? Oh, this is going to be good. I've been dreaming of her food."
"She'll be happy to hear that." Rosie said with a giggle as she stepped out of the car.
"Tell your aunt I'll be in as soon as I park the car." Charlotte pointed to the parking garage down the street.
The siblings took all Jack's bags out of the trunk and headed to the buildings main entrance instead of the café's street entrance.
"Mind helping me take my things up first?"
"Of course. But can I suggest the elevator?"
"That's cheating," Jack grinned.
"Maybe so, but we aren't all firemen who can climb tall buildings. Some of us are normal people."
"I'll race you?"
"You're on!"
Jack heaved the large duffle on his back and raced up the stairs as Rosie dove into the elevator. Growing up, they were so close in age they'd compete over everything. Drove their parents crazy. Dinner, homework, reading, everything was a race.
The doors to the elevator opened and Rosie raced out down the hall.
"Hi, slowpoke," Jack laughed as he leaned against his front door. "Bout time you got here."
"Are you kidding me?!" She huffed. "Does your girlfriend have any idea how infuriating you can be?"
"Nah, I'm nicer to her."
"I should hope so!"
They were still laughing as Rosie, who had Jack's keys while he was away, unlocked the door.
"Everything is as you left it." she said as they entered.
Jack looked around his apartment. He liked it here. The modern style 2 bedroom high end apartment, with its light grey walls and dark trim with stainless steel appliances were appealing to look at. Rosie had helped him decorate when he first moved in, giving it a nice homey feel. His favorite part were the large windows spanning the living room wall that lead out to the balcony. He had a nice view of the city he was protecting as a fireman. It was worth the extra money to come home to a comfortable place and one of the only things he splurged on. Other than camera gear.
Charlotte and Tom had raised their kids right. None of them, not even Tom, had made bad choices with the large early inheritance their grandparents, Charlotte's mom and dad, had given them.
"I moved all your photography stuff back in like you asked." When Jack had left for Haiti, he moved all his equipment to his mom's. Rosie rented his apartment out as an Airbnb while he was away. With his photography things out of the way, it made it easier for all the space to be used.
"Thanks for that. I have a few photos I want to print and work on while I'm home."
"I can't wait to see them! Have any pictures of Elizabeth by chance? You know I haven't seen any yet."
"You haven't?"
"No! I'm dying here!"
Jack pulled out his phone and showed Rosie his home screen. It was a picture Elizabeth had taken on his phone. They were standing with a breathtaking sunset behind them, his arms wrapped around her holding her close.
"Oh wow, Jack! She's gorgeous."
"Tell me about it." Jack took the phone back and smiled. "I miss her already."
"You know Mom was worried you weren't coming home. That you'd follow her home instead."
"I thought about it for a moment. She was nervous about going home."
"Why? Is she safe there?" Rosie immediately jumped to a worse case senierio. She had a tenincy to watch too many night time dramas
"Yeah. It's just her dad isn't really a fan of our relationship right now. He can be pretty controlling. I wanted to go to try and smooth things over but she needed to do it on her own for now."
"That could make proposing hard…the jeweler says he should have a ring for you to look at based off your design in a couple days. I didn't tell Mom anything about that by the way."
"Thanks. I want to talk to her about that in person."
"So that's still the plan? To propose? I mean from what you just said about her father…."
"It's the plan. I love her, Rosie. It's not so much that I want to marry her, I feel like…"
"You only breathe easy when she's with you? Your future only seems to make sense with her in it?"
"Yes!"
"I understand. That's how I feel with Lee." She walked over and gave him a big, loving hug. "It will be okay, Jack. You'll see."
"Thanks. I guess we should head downstairs before Mom or Abigail come looking for us."
"Good point. Let's go."
Jack locked the door and the headed down the hallway to the elevator. "I still find it so funny that you ended up with one of my best friends."
"Consider yourself the prescreening. I figured if you were friends with him, he couldn't be that bad," she winked.
They rode the elevator down talking about Christmas plans and how Rosie's wedding plans were coming alone. As they reached the cafe door off the lobby of the building, Rosie paused. "You ready?"
"For dinner with my family?"
"Well, something like that." She opened the door and a room full of people all clapped and cheered. Rosie turned around giddy. "It's just family, some guys you work with, and friends. Small gatherings of course."
Jack took a deep breath. Even though that was more than he expected, he was thrilled to see everyone there. It had been so long. He had left for Haiti 10 months ago, and had only been back a short stint here and there, like for his cousin and fellow fireman, Pete Stanton's wedding.
"There's my favorite nephew! Abigail Stanton, rushed Jack. "You're not allowed to leave us for that long again, you hear me?"
"I hear you, Aunt Abigail. I'll do my best."
"Good. Now come eat! Everyone's so excited you're here!"
Pete and his wife came up to Jack giving him a brotherly hug. "Welcome home, Jack!"
"Thanks, Pete! Hi, Clara."
"Hi, Jack. Good to see you!" She hugged him as well.
"Ready to be back on the rig with us?" Pete asked as a few more of their firehouse buddies came to say hi.
"Very. When do I start?"
"Day after tomorrow?" an old familiar voice said as he made his way through the crowd.
"Chef Avery, good to see you, sir!"
"You too, Jack. Take tomorrow and rest up. We'll see you on the rig at 7 am the next day."
"I can start tomorrow if you want."
"Jack, take it easy. You'll be in the thick of it soon enough."
"Alright. Thanks."
For the next hour and a half Jack ate more food than he had in awhile, and caught up with many people.
He noticed the time, 8:30 his time which meant 11:30 Elizabeth's time. "Shoot," he groaned. He ducked out into the hallway when no one was looking and in one of the arm chairs in the lobby, he called Elizabeth.
"Hey!" she said with excitement, though he could tell she was exhausted. "How is it being home?"
"It's good. Sorry this call is coming so late. Just had a little welcome home party at my aunt's cafe diner and I'm not used to the time difference. How was your dinner?"
"Good. Viola helped keep the conversation light. I think Dad was ready to jump into a long conversation about my future."
"Fun times… did I come up at all?"
"A little. Mom wanted to know how you were doing."
"That's nice of her." Jack's left leg bounced, nervous about Elizabeth being home with her dad and what that would mean for their relationship long term.
"Don't worry, I talked with Viola and she's helping me figure out how to handle Dad. It's going to be okay."
"I know." He tried, but didn't sound convinced.
"Trust me, Jack. No matter what happens, in the end, it's you and me."
"I miss you." He smiled. "I was thinking, maybe we did our time in Miami wrong."
"How so?"
"We were together so much. Even last night when we fell asleep in the lobby."
"That was nice."
"It was, but now I know what it's like to fall asleep next to you and wake up the same way. I liked it."
"I did too. So are you saying all that closeness made this time apart harder?"
"That's exactly what I'm saying."
"Well then maybe we shouldn't make a habit out of it."
"Trust me, angel, I don't plan to."
